Blazing Glory: A RTTS Dynasty (MLB 09: The Show)

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 15, 2014 -

We get swept by the Red Sox ending any realistic shot at the WC. We are now 8 games back with 2 weeks to go.


Sep 16, 2014 -

Tonight, I go for win #15 against Toronto at their place. They are starting Dstin McGowan who is 9-16 with a 4.65 ERA. We are 81-69. They are 57-93.

Struck out Urban looking with a 2-2 slider across the outside corner for the 2nd out of the 1st. Struck out Berkman with a 0-2 fastball to end the 1st.

Struck out Lind with a 3-2 fastball to start the 2nd. Great movement on my fastball today.

Saucedo with 2 RBI's and Santana with 1 in the 3rd. 3-0 lead.

After allowing 2 singles to start the 5th, I get Rolen to pop to 3rd and then Nunez to hit into a 4-6-3 DP.

Struck out Lind with a 1-2 fastball on the outside corner to end the 6th.

We score 3 in the top of the 8th thanks to RBI's by Saucedo and Betemit. 6-0 lead.

I'm definitely losing the heat on my fastball and my control, but I still manage a 1-2-3 8th.

Berkman with a hard liner to left to start the 9th, but Pie with a nice running catch to put away the 1st out. Pie with a running catch on a shallow flare to left for the 2nd out of the inning. A 1-2 outside fastball gets the 3rd strikeout of the game on Lind.

6-0 complete game shutout! That is win #15.

9 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 22, 2014 -

The dream is over. We are 83-72 and are now mathematically eliminated from the Wild Card. Boston has taken over the AL East lead at 92-63. It is going to be a battle to the finish between TB, Bsoston, and the Yankees for the Wild Card. The Rays are 91-64 and the Yankees are 91-65.

Tonight, I start the 1st game of a 4 game series at TB. Ryan Dempster is starting for them tonight.


Struck out Carlos Pena with a 2-2 fastball to start the 2nd inning.

Struck out Darnell Buscher with a 2-2 slider for the 2nd out of the 3rd inning. Navarro with an epic at bat.. 14 pitches before he finally grounded a 3-2 slider to 1st for the 3rd out.

Struck out Pena again for the first out of the 5th. After walking a batter, I strike out Nady with a 0-2 inside fastball. Struck out Joyce with a high 1-2 fastball. Dempster and I both have no hitters going through 5.

We got 2 hits off Dempster in the top of the 6th but still no runs.

With 2 outs in the 6th, B.J. Upton catches a low fastball and hits it over the left field wall. No-hitter and shutout gone in 1 second. Flores with a throwing error allows another base runner with 2 outs in the 6th. Longoria is up. Shit! Flores with another throwing error. Men on 2nd and 3rd. Pena grounds to Kennedy to end the inning.

Sigh. Mike pulls me after that inning. I had at least 1 more good inning in me. We lose the game 3-0. My record drops to 15-9.

6 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 22, 2014 -

After the game, Rusty tells me I just passed 150 strikeouts in a season for the first time in my career. I have 152. I also passed the 200 IP mark this game (2nd time in my career doing that.)

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 27, 2014 -

My final start of the year is vs Dustin McGowan and Toronto at home. I'm hopeful that I'll get win #16. We are 86-74. They are 60-100.

Bad start to the game as Berkman gets a 2 out single and then Mike Jacobs drives the ball over the head of Markakis for a RBI double.

Pie knocks in Flores in the 2nd. Tied at 1.

Tovar, their young 2B, hits a 1-2 fastball to deep right field for a no-doubt homer.

Flores with another error in the 5th inning. He just bobbled a routine grounder with 2 outs. I still get out of the inning by striking out Berkman with a 2-2 outside fastball.

Pie with a solo homer in the 5th to tie it at 2.

Struck out Nunez with a 2-2 high fastball for the 2nd out in the 7th.

Mike turns to the pen after that. Our pen gives up a run in the 8th and we lose it 3-2.

7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 30, 2014 -

We finish the year with a 86-76 record. I lead the league in WHIP with a 1.19. Here are my final stats on the year as I prepare for likely salary arbitration:

33 GS, 15-9, 3.31 ERA, 23 QS, 2 CG, 2 SO, 212 IP, 209 H, 95 R, 78 ER, 19 HR, 43 BB, 154 K, 1.19 WHIP, .224 vs RH, .288 vs LH.



Boston won the AL East. The Yankees won the Wild Card. The Angels and Cleveland are also in the AL playoffs. The NL playoffs feature SD, Atlanta, Chicago, and the Dodgers.

The Yankees beat the Red Sox in 6 games in the ALCS.

The Cubs beat SD in 7 games in the NLCS.

The Cubs win the World Series in 5 games!

Adrian Gonzalez in the WS MVP. He hit .402 with 1 HR and 4 RBI's.

Donald Davila, Cleveland, won the AL MVP with .344, 51 HR, and 132 RBI.

C.C. Sabathia won the Cy Young with a 2.87 ERA, 20-6 record.

Albert Pujols, Angels, won the Silver Slugger with a .349 avg.

Reinaldo Cortez won the Rolaids Relief award for with 50 saves! He did a great job for us this year when we could get to him.

Titus Crudale, Oakland's CF, won AL Rookie of the year with .311, 22 HR, and 100 RBI.

My new teammate, Ubaldo Jiminez won a Gold Glove. My catcher, Saucedo, also won it. Too many passed balls I thought.


Oct 30, 2014 -

Notable retirements:

2B Adam Kennedy, Bal
CF Rocco Baldelli (due to injury), Boston
3B Mike Lowell, Boston
CP Kerry Wood, Boston
C Jason Kendall, Yankees
1B Lance Berkman, Toronto
RF Magglio Ordonez, Det
C Geovany Soto, Angels (due to injury)
LF Pat Burrell, Atlanta
LF Alfonso Soriano, Cubs
1B Lyle Overbay, Astros
CF Mike Cameron, Pirates

[Eaglesfan27]

The new Hall of Fame Class was announced:

SP Jamie Moyer, 260-195, 4.02 ERA, 2350 K.
SP Randy Johnson 307-166, 3.27 ERA, 4969 K.
SP Tom Glavine 305-203, 3.54 ERA, 2607 K.
RP Tom Gordon, 138-125, 158 S, 3.94 ERA, 1928 K.
SP Curt Schilling, 216-146, 22 S, 3.46 ERA, 3116 K.


Nov 8, 2014 -

Nick Markakis became a free agent :(

The club gave Adam Jones 17 million over 4 years to stay.

The Red Sox gave Pedroia 42 million over 3 years.

The Braves gave Joe Mauer 52 million over 4 years.


Nov 9, 2014 -

The club traded one of our trop pitches, Chris Young, for Gavin Floyd. I don't know much about Floyd, but I can't help but think this was financially motivated :(


Nov 12, 2014 -

The Orioles have offered me a 2 year deal worth 30.4 million dollars. I counter with 15.6 million over 1 year. They agree and we avoid arbitration.


Nov 13, 2014 -

Sigh. The club trades away 2 more starters who I know were quality for younger unproven (cheaper) guys: Jeremy Guthrie goes to the Phillies for Gregory Andrus, one of their prospects. Ubaldo Jimenez goes to the Indians for Mauro Montano.


Nov 15, 2014 -

CP Jonathan Papelbon gets the first really big contract of the year as he gets 71 million for 5 years from the Angels.

The Mets added Alex Rios for 5 years, 45 million.

The club re-signed LF Felix Pie! Hopefully, he'll play a bit more this year.


Nov 25, 2014 -

SOB!!! The Orioles continue to dump salary and traded me out of the blue! I've been sent to the White Sox. I didn't see that one coming. The White Sox finished 84-78 last year. At least, I won't have to face the Yankees and Red Sox so often.

[Eaglesfan27]

Nov 26, 2014 -

I was traded for a decent cheap starter, Oliver Perez. I guess they knew there was no chance I was going to sign with them once I became a free agent.

The Orioles re-signed Markakis the same day I was traded for 4 years and 29 million.

The White Sox have been busy, they re-signed SS Alexei Ramirez to a 3 year deal worth 24 million. I don't know much about him, but I think he will be a better defender than Flores was. They also re-signed Adam Dunn to a 3 year deal worth 17 million. They also have acquired Chris Young, who was my favorite among my fellow starting pitchers. I like the directions the moves they are making.


Today was also a big deal for the Twins. They re-signed Morneau for 5 years and 74 million dollars.


Nov 29, 2014 -

The White Sox re-signed LF Carlos Quentin for 2 years and 15 million.

The Reds with a fairly big signing - SS Hanley Ramirez for 3 years and 55 million.

Dec 1, 2014 -

The Orioles gave Lacey a 6 year 60 million dollar extension.

The Red Sox traded Daisuke Matsuzaka to the Diamondbacks for Brandon Webb.

The White Sox signed FA SP Kelvim Escobar to a 2 year 15 million dollar deal. They also re-signed SP Edinson Volquez to a 5 year 44 million dollar deal.

Dec 5, 2014 -

The Dodgers with a big FA signing as they get LF Matt Holliday for 6 years and 75 million.

[Eaglesfan27]

Jan 15, 2015 -

The White Sox signed about 5 bench/role player type guys. I hope they are being smart with this money. They are certainly being aggressive. The most notable of these players signed is CF Tony Gwynn, Jr.

Feb 28, 2015 -

It's only been a few days, but I can honestly say that this team is the most talented team I've ever been on! It's built to win big. Hopefully, we can do it. My thoughts about some key players on the team after watching them the first few days of spring training:

1B Tyron Whaley is 24 and nasty. Best power hitter I've ever had on my team. He has a great eye and is a solid fielder as well. Should bat 3rd every night of the year. He hit .280 with 29 homers last year, his 2nd in the majors. He is primed for a breakout year.

CP Bobby Jenks is 32 and is the best closer I've ever had on my team. He is 32 and is in the prime of his career. He has had 45 plus saves each of the last 4 years. Nasty stuff.

SP John Denks is 28 and will compete with me for the Ace of the staff. Has a nasty 4SFB as well as a cutter. Had a down year last year, but has been sub 4 ERA every year and had almost 200 K's 2 years ago. Makes 14 million.

SP Chris Young is 34 and was my teammate in Baltimore. He has a top quality 4SFB. He had a career year last year with a 15-10 record. I expect him to do better than that with the talent around us. Makes 12 million.

SP Edinson Volquez is 30 and has had close to 200 K every year in the majors. Great at changing speeds, has a top tier change and a very good fastball. 3.05 ERA last year. He is making around 8 million.

SP Kelvim Escobar is the old veteran in the group at 37. He has 5 averge pitches and mixes them well. His ERA was over 4 last year for the first time in 7 years. Hopefully, age doesn't hit him too hard this year. However, he is a great option as a number 5. He makes 7 million this year.

All together, the starters make 55 million this year. Big things are expected of us by the management.

Other key position players:

LF Carlos Quentin has very good power although he strikes out a fair bit. He is good for 30 homers a year. He is an above average fielder in left. He is 31 and making 7 million this year.

RF Adam Dunn is 34 and is making just over 5 million this year. He has had 46 and 48 homers in the last years. He loves this ball park and has great power, although he strikes out a lot. As age is catching up to him, he has become a slightly below average fielder but he has a gun of an arm.

SS Alexei Ramirez is 32. He is about average as a fielder, but is a definite upgrade from Flores. Furthermore, he is a good hitter who has hit around .280 with 20-25 homers each of the last 4 years. He is making just over 7 million this year.

3B Ty Wigginton is 36 and age might be catching up to him as he dipped below 30 homers for the first time in 5 years. Unfortunatley, his fielding is below average and a definite downgrade from where Lacey was at the end of the year.

RP Jong-Chih Kuo is a quality set up man. He has a terrific fastball. He has had an ERA around 3 every year and usually has about 100 K's per year.

CF Jerry Owens is 33 and still has near elite speed. He'll bat leadoff and cover a lot of ground out there even though his instincts aren't always great.

2B Chris Getz isn't much of a hitter, but he gets put out there consistently for his top quality defense. He has great reflexes and some slick moves. I'll love it if he stays in the lineup most of the year.

This team has me excited. Hopefully, that excitement will last through this year..

Oh yeah, the new pitching coach worked with me in the offseason and taught me a splitter. I'll be working hard this spring to refine it and make it an effective pitch.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 1, 2015 -

I had an excellent spring. Despite working on my splitter and giving up some big hits from it, I was 4-1 in the spring with a 2.56 ERA. I'm ready for the season to start. The splitter is definitely going to take some time to master, but I'll be working on it during the season. I imagine I might be a bit hesitant to throw it with men on base until I get better control if it.


April 6, 2015 -

I've been named the opening day starter and we start the year in Oakland. I'm as jacked as I've ever been for a season.

A look at our starting lineup:

CF Jerry Owens
SS Alexei Ramirez
1B Tyron Whaley
RF Adam Dunn
3B Ty Wigginton
C Ronny Paulino
DH Erick Aybar
LF Carlos Quentin
2B Chris Getz - YES!

Their lineup:

LF Chadwick Lovallo
C Kurt Suzuki
3B Garrett Atkins
DH Jack Crust
RF Brad Hawpe - still need to be careful with him
SS Young-Ho Chung
2B Jeff Baker
CF Titus Crudale (won rookie of the year, will be careful with him)
1B Lazaro Gomez


Owens starts off the game with a double. Dunn knocks him in for a RBI. 1-0 lead.

Good defensive play by Wigginton to get the 1st out. Maybe, he isn't as bad as I first estimated. Struck out Suzuki with a 1-2 slider. Struck out Atkins with a 0-2 fastball.

Struck out Cust with an outside 0-2 fastball to begin the 2nd inning. Titus comes to the plate with men on 1st and 2nd (walk and a single), but I strike him out with a 1-2 low fastball.

Struck out Gomez with a 2-2 fastball to start the 3rd. After giving up a single, I give up another hit to center, but Owens throws out the runner going to 3rd.

Cust starts off the 4th inning by hitting a very good low fastball to very shallow center for a single. I walk Hawpe to put men on 1st and 2nd with 0 outs. Chung hits into a 5-4-3 DP. Wigginton handles a hot grounder to end the inning.

Ramirez with a 2 run homer in the top of the 5th. 3-0 lead.

Titus starts of the bottom of the 5th with a double down the right field line. Wigginton handles a hard grounder, looks Titus back, and then airmails it. Oakland has HUGE foul ground to cover and Titus easily scores. Gomez on 2nd with 0 outs. A very good 2-2 slider gets Chadwick for the 1st out of the 5th. Paulino throws out Gomez attempting to steal 3rd.

Struck out Cust with a 3-2 fastball to start the 6th. Getz with a true web gem on a hot grounder by Hawpe. He gets to his knees and throws him out! Chung hits a 2-2 fastball that wasn't quite far enough inside down the left field line for a homer. Barely out of the shortest part of the park. 3-2. I respond by striking out Baker with a 2-2 splitter! My first strikeout with the new pitch.

Chadwick with a 2 out double off the left field wall in the 7th. Mike Scioscia pulls me after that. Interestingly, he is going to Bobby Jenks! Maybe he won't be our closer this year after all?

Wow. He is going to let our young phenom, Markus Groniga, close this game. Jenks pitches a perfect 1.1 innings and then Groniga pitches a perfect 9th. We win the game 4-2 and I have my 1st win. :)

I trust in Mike and this kid did have a tremendous spring as the closer.

6.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 8 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 8, 2015 -

John Denks is lit up by Oakland. We lose the game 7-2.

April 9, 2015 -

Chris Young with 8 strong innings. Groniga gets his 2nd save of the year. We win the game 3-2. Dunn with a 2 run homer and Quentin with a RBI. I expected a bit more offense from this team, but hopefully this is just a slow start and that will come soon.


April 10, 2015 -

Our first series at home is vs Tampa Bay. Edinson Volquez gives up 3 runs in 5 innings. We lose the game 3-2.

April 11, 2015 -

Kelvim shows us how it is done as he pitches a masterful complete game gem. We win 5-1. Quentin with a 2 run homer in a 3 run 4th inning.

[Sun Tzu]

*is eagerly awaiting the next chapter*

[nfg22]

me too! tho I hope Mauer and Morneau light you up....but other than that may you dominate.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 12, 2015 -

Tonight, I start the final game of a 3 game series against Tampa Bay at home. We've split the series so far. Hopefully, the team can light up Ricky Nolasco tonight. 22 MPH wind blowing out to left center tonight.

Struck out Xavier Nady with a 1-2 fastball on the outside corner for the 2nd out of the 1st inning. Struck out Evan Longoria with a 2-2 inside fastball to end the inning.

Struck out Matt Joyce looking with a 2-2 fastball across the inside corner to end the 2nd inning.

With 2 outs and a man on 3rd (after a double by Clint Barmes that was almost pushed over the wall by the wind) in the 3rd inning, a passed ball allows the run to score. A 1-1 slider just got away from John Buck who is catching tonight.

Long run by Jerry Owens to catch a Longoria line drive in the right-center gap for the 1st out of the 4th.

Struck out Matt Joyce with a 2-2 inside fastball to start the 5th inning.

Buck knocks in Aybar in the bottom of the 5th. Tied at 1.

Struck out Nieves with a 2-2 inside fastball for the 2nd out of the 6th. Struck out Xavier Nady with a 0-2 slider to end the 6th.

Evan Longoria starts off the 7th with a single to shallow left. That is only the 3rd hit I've given up today. Pena with a single to left and I worry that Mike is going to pull me.. which he does. So much for the win. Hopefully, Lance Cormier can get us out of this jam.

He doesn't do a good job at all. We give up 6 runs in the 7th inning. Our team finally scores in the bottom of the 7th on a grand slam by Dunn, but we lose the game 7-5.

My record drops to 1-1.

6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 17, 2015 -

We've lost 4 of our last 5 including 2 of 3 to Detroit and we are definitely starting to feel the pressure a bit. Tonight, I start the 2nd game of a series at Boston. We lost last night 16-0 as Youkilis had 6 RBI's. We need to bounce back in a big way tonight.


In the top of the 2nd, Aybar knocked in Dunn for our 1st run of the game. 1-0.

Absolutely terrific catch by Owens in left center for the 2nd out of the 2nd. I'm going to love having him out there every day. On the other hand, Alexei Ramirez shows his limited range in allowing the 1st of the game with 2 outs. Struck out Mohamed Fowler to end the 2nd inning.

Struck out Edgar Renteria with a 2-2 fastball to start the 3rd inning. Great movement on that pitch as it started out over the middle of the plate and moved inside off the plate. Paulino throws out the Julio Lugo attempting to steal 2nd. That is his 2nd runner gunned down this game. Carlos Gomez draws his 2nd walk of the game as he looks at a 3-2 slider that just misses the corner. Brian Roberts with a single to center that moves Gomez to 3rd. I get a needed popup by Jacoby to end the inning.

David DeJesus with a 1 out triple down the right field line in the 4th inning. Navarro with a chopper to short to knock in the run. Tied at 1.

Jacoby with a 1 out single in the 6th. He gets to 2nd on a wild pitch (a very high fastball) but Paulino throws him out attempting to steal 3rd. Konerko with a very tough at-bat before he finally draws a 2 out walk. He takes 2nd on a passed ball and then DeJesus draws 9 pitches before hitting a 3-2 change into right center for a RBI single. Navarro with a single to center that moves DeJesus to 3rd and I'm a bit surprised that Mike hasn't yanked me. I strike out Fowler with a low 2-2 slider to end the inning. Down 2-1 after 6 full innings.

We tie it in the 7th inning on a solo homer by Carlos Quentin (his 4th already), but Lance Cormier gives up the lead in the bottom of the 11th inning. We lose the game 3-2.

6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 22, 2015 -

Tonight, I get the start against the Tigers. We've split the first 2 games in this series against them.

In the 4th, I strike out Zapata with a 1-2 slider for the 1st out. I strike out Ryan, their catcher, with a 2-2 fastball to end the inning.

In the 5th, I strike out Boggs to start off the inning with a 2-2 fastball.

Our offense is no hit for 5 innings by Ryu. 0-0 game.

In the 6th, we get a run via a RBI double by Chavez who is playing in center tonight.

Mike lets me start the 8th as I pitched a strong 7th, but I give up a single to Figgins. Cabrera with a RBI double and I'm yanked with the game tied at 1. He brings in Jenks. Jenks gives up the inherited run before getting out of the inning.

We lose the game 2-1. My record drops to 1-2.

7 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 27, 2015 -

Our team is really feeling the pressure as we lose 2 of 3 to the Royals.

April 28, 2015 -

We lost the 1st game of this series at home against my old team, Baltimore. We desperately need a win as we are 7-13 and 8 games behind the Indians. Lacey is clearly their best hitter. Baltimore is 8-12 so far.

2 great defensive plays by Getz to start the game before Lacey hits a good pitch to left field for a single. Struck out Chris Duncan with a 2-2 changeup to end the 1st.

Struck out Gustavo Flores with a 1-2 changeup to start the 2nd inning. Struck out Wes Helms looking with a 1-2 high fastball to end the 2nd.

Ramirez knocks in Dunn in the 2nd. 1-0 lead.

Struck out Pie with a 1-2 fastball to start the 3rd.

Markakis with a double down the left field line to start the 4th. Big strikeout of Lacey on a high inside 2-2 fastball for the 1st out. Markakis takes 3rd on a passed ball, a 2-2 changeup that was near the dirt. Struck out Duncan looking with a 99 MPH fastball across the inside corner. Flores flies out to Dunn to end the inning.

Struck out Lacey with a 2-2 change to end the 6th. 1-0 after 6.

Struck out Flores with a 1-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out in the 7th. Struck out Betemit with a 2-2 outside fastball to end the 7th. That tied my career high, 9 strikeouts.

1-0 lead as I start the 8th.

Struck out Pie with a high 1-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 8th. A new career high! 1-2-3 8th. 3 hit shutout intact here.

Murphy with a bunt single to start the 9th. Mike decides to go the pen after that. He gives the ball to our young closer, Markus Groniga. He has pitched 5 perfect innings for 5 saves. He makes it 6 of 6!

I get my 2nd win as we win it 1-0.

8 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 10 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 1, 2015 -

A very rough for the team to start the year. We are 8-14 so far. Our offense is 24th in batting average, 26th in runs scored, 20th in homers (despite Quentin having a nice month with 7), and 17th in SB's.

Our pitching staff has been equally disappointing. I'm the only starter with a ERA under 4. We are 17th with a team ERA of 4.16 despite my good start in this category. We are 10th in strikeouts which the only category we are in the top 10.

My stats for the month:

5 GS, 2-2, 2.14 ERA (5th in the AL), 5 QS, 33.2 IP, 29 H, 9 R, 8 ER, 2 HR, 5 BB, 30 K (5th in the AL), 1.01 WHIP (2nd in the AL), .188 vs RH, .286 vs LH.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 4, 2015 -

We are now 9-16. Tonight, I get the start at Tampa Bay. They are 20-7 so far this year and their ace is starting tonight.

Struck out Nieves with a 1-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 1st inning.

Singles by Nady, Longoria, and then Matt Joyce who has a RBI single. 1-0. Men on 1st and 3rd with 1 out in the 2nd. A popup by Amezaga and then I strike out Tyree Chavis with a 1-2 change to end the inning.

Upton draws a leadoff walk in the 3rd and then steals 2nd. Struck out Nieves with a high 2-2 fastball (after throwing a nice splitter down low before that.) Upton moves to 3rd on a fly by Longoria to right field. Carlos Pena with a RBI single to center to make it 2-0.

Ramirez with an error in the 5th that costs us the double play and the out. Men on 1st and 2nd with 0 outs now and Longoria at the plate. Meanwhile our offense has been no-hit so far. Longoria lines out to Ramirez. Carlos Pena hits a 1-2 splitter that hung to the center field wall for a 2 RBI double. Struck out Nady with a 1-2 slider to end the inning.

Mike pulls me after that rough inning. We lose the game 4-1 and my record drops to 2-3.

5 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 8, 2015 -

We win 3 straight until Kelvim Escobar is torched by Cleveland for 8 runs. We lose tonight 8-6, but we have scored 25 runs in our last 3 games. Hopefully, tomorrow night the club will keep scoring runs for me.

AL Central Standings so far:

Cleveland 22-8
Kansas City 17-13
Chicago 12-18
Detroit 11-19
Minnesota 7-23

[Eaglesfan27]

May 9, 2015 -

A must win start against Cleveland tonight as they are 22-8 and we are 12-18. They have good hitters throughout the lineup.

Corey Hart starts the game by hitting a 1-2 low slider into shallow center for a single. The next batter, Armand Lorenz, hits into a FC before Buck throws him out attempting to steal 2nd. I struck out Sizemore with a 1-2 fastball to end the 1st.

Darn. With 1 out and men on 1st and 3rd in the 2nd inning, Jhonny Peralta hit a chopper to Ty at 3rd. With no chance at the DP, he threw it home and Buck was run over Davila who knocked the ball loose. Both runners advanced and now I'm down 1-0 with men on 2nd and 3rd and 1 out. Travis Haffner hit a hard grounder to short that scored a 2nd run, maybe I should have walked him instead of trying to strike him out. Bill Hall with a RBI single to left center off a 1-2 fastball. Buck throws out Hall attempting to steal 2nd to end the inning. I really need the offense to pick it up..

Struck out Travis Haffner with a 1-2 fastball for the 1st out of the 5th. Owens with a LONG run and catch at the track for the 2nd out of the 5th. Alexei Ramirez with an error allows Hart to get on base, but I get the next batter to ground to 1st for the 3rd out. Still down 3-0 after 5 innings.

Mike pulls me after I allow two 2 out singles in the 6th. Lance Cormier comes into the game and allows both runs to score and I have to stop myself from going and yelling in Mike's office after the game.

We lose 6-0. My record drops to 2-4.

5.2 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 2 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 14, 2015 -

Tonight, I get the 1st start of this 4 game series against the Yankees in New York. They are starting Chamberlain who is 3-1 with a 3.50 ERA.

Nice start to the game as I strike out Reyes with a 0-2 outside fastball. Chase Utley, who is hitting .300 with 12 HR's already, also strikes out on a 0-2 outside fastball. Mark Teixeira hits a 2-0 fastball down the right field line that clangs off the foul pole. That was his 10th homer of the year. 1-0. Nick Swisher and Vlad with singles. Men on 1st and 3rd. Cano flies out to Chavez in center to end the inning.

I cheer as Carlos Quentin hits a solo homer in the 3rd to tie it at 1.

A bad hop gets Ty to start the 3rd. It hits off his chest for a single for Utley. Mark hits into a 5-4-3 DP. Great handle by Ty.

Struck out Vlad with a 99 MPH 3-2 fastball to start the 4th.

Struck out Torrealba with a 2-2 high fastball to start the 5th.

With 1 out in the 5th, Reyes hits a grounder that barely gets by Whaley for a single. Utley fouls off a few pitches before hitting a 2-2 change into the right center gap for a RBI double. I get Mark to ground out to 1st and Swisher to pop up to me to end the inning. Down 2-1.

Vlad hits a hard grounder that Alexei just can't get to start the 6th. Vlad steals 2nd and then scores on a grounder by Melky Cabrera that just gets past Alexei. Ramon Hernandez with a single to right and I think I'm about to get pulled.. but I don't. I need to get out of this jam right now with Torrealba at the plate. Torrealba hits a low 0-0 fastball down the right field line for a RBI single. 4-1. That does it, Mike yanks me and I can't blame him. He gives the ball to Hong-Chih Kuo. Kuo allows both of the inherited runs to score.

We lose the game 6-1. My record drops to 2-5. I was happy with the quality of my work in my first 5 starts, but these last few have been rough.

5.1 IP, 12 H, 6 ER, 0 BB, 4 K. I need to do much better.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 19, 2015 -

We are now 17-23. Tonight, I'm starting in Detroit against the Tigers who are 14-25 and last in my offensive categories. Should be a good game to get out of that slide..

We are up 1-0 before I take the mound thanks to a Whaley RBI single. He knocked in Owens.

Dunn with a nice catch at the wall for the 1st out. Figgins hit that very hard and it would have been a homer if there wasn't a stiff wind blowing in today. Struck out Miguel Cabrera with a 1-2 fastball to end the inning.

Men on 2nd and 3rd with 0 outs in the 2nd. I get a needed strikeout of Gerald Laird with a 1-2 fastball at the knees. Freel grounds to 1st for the 2nd out, but the run scores. Bloomquist grounds back to me for the 3rd out.

Owen Budde with a 2 run homer in the top of the 4th. 3-1 lead.

Richar hits a 2-1 slider into right center for a triple to start the bottom of the 4th. Kubel hits a very good 2-2 fastball for a weak flare to right for a RBI single. Struck out Zapata looking with a 0-2 fastball just below the letters. Struck out Laird with a 3-2 fastball. Struck out Ryan Freel with a high 0-2 fastball to end the inning. 3 big strikeouts there.

Miguel Cabrera hits a first pitch fastball just barely over the left field wall to start the 6th inning. Tied at 3. I can only blame myself for not getting a win today if it doesn't happen.

Sheesh. Zapata with a 2 out double and then Laird hits a 2-2 slider that hung into right center for a RBI single. Freel with a single to center and I know I'm in trouble, but Scioscia leaves me in. Bloomquist hits it back to me and I make the throw for the 3rd out. Down 4-3 after 6.

We lose the game 5-3.

6 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K. My record drops to 2-6. Very disappointing.

[Ironhead]

This thread is the only time I have ever wanted to own a PS3.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 24, 2015 -

We've lost 4 of our last 5 games and tonight I'm starting the first game of a series vs the Yankees at home. We are 18-27. The Yankees are 26-20.

Struck out Utley with a 2-2 slider. I needed that as my confidence is very shaky coming into this game. Getz with a rare error allows Mark on 1st with 2 outs. Struck out A-Rod looking with a 3-2 fastball on the outside corner.

Charlie Sawyer is killing me. He blows a 3-2 call on Nick Swisher allowing him to walk, then he fails to call a 2 out 2-2 slider that clearly caught the corner a strike. The next pitch is a RBI single by Torrealba. 1-0. I get Reyes to strike out on a 2-2 outside fastball to end the inning.

Chase Utley starts off the 3rd by crushing a 1-0 fastball over the left field wall. That is his 14th homer of the year. I respond by striking out Mark with a 100 MPH 1-2 fastball. With men on 2nd and 3rd, I strike out Swisher with a 2-2 slider to end the inning.

Ramirez with an error that allows Utley to reach 1st to start the 5th inning. Struck out Mark with a 0-2 fastball. A-Rod smokes the first pitch down the left field line for a double. Men on 2nd and 3rd as Quentin did a good job of getting it in quickly to prevent Utley from scoring. I tried to unintentionally intentionally walk Vlad but he hit a low 3-1 fastball into right center for a sac fly. Cano flies out to left to end the inning. Down 3-0.

Wow, Mike pulls me early tonight. We lose the game 3-2 as Sabathia pitched 7 scoreless innings.

My record drops to 2-7. 5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 30, 2015 -

We've won 3 of our last 4. Tonight, I hope to keep it going against the Red Sox but it will be tough as they are starting Brandon Webb who is 6-0 with a 2.20 ERA.

After I get screwed by Dutch Nelson on a 2-2 call, I strike out Upton swinging with a 3-2 fastball for the 1st out of the 2nd inning.

Navarro with a 10 pitch at bat before he hits a 2-2 fastball down the left field line for a double. Quentin just missed making a diving catch on that ball. Fowler advances the runner with a grounder to 2nd. I intentionally walk Renteria to set up a double play. Then, I lose all command and throw 4 straight balls to Jacoby. Youkilis is up with bases loaded...

He hits a 0-2 fastball to deep center for a sac fly. Pedroia hits the ball hard to left, Quentin dives.. and it bounces off his glove. 2 RBI double. Upton flies out to left to end the inning. Down 3-0.

Struck out Fowler with a 2-2 slider to start the 5th.

Despite a 1-2-3 6th, Mike pulls me to start the 7th. I pitched a gem except for one horrid inning. We lose the game 4-0 as Brandon Webb pitches a complete game 3 hit shutout.

6 IP, 2 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

This thread is the only time I have ever wanted to own a PS3.

This game was the major factor in me getting a PS3.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 1, 2015 -

We are now 21-31. After Boston beat us, they are now 43-9! I never expected our offense to be so lacking. We are 28th in batting average with Carlos being the only player hitting over .300. On the plus side, Whaley is getting hot and has raised his average by 40 points to .268 over the last month. We are 5th in Homers with Whaley hitting 4 in our last 5 games. He now has 12. Quentin has 13 and Dunn has 10. But, we are terrible at drawing walks and we are only 23rd in runs scored. We are 26th in SB's. We are last in drawing walks.

With my ERA skyrocketing, the rest of the team has brought theirs down. We are now 14th with a staff ERA of 4.15. We are 5th in strikeouts as Danks, Volquez and I are all over 50.


After my horrible month in which I only had 1 quality start, here are my stats: 2-8, 4.19 ERA, 11 GS, 6 QS, 66.2 IP, 71 H, 34 R, 31 ER, 5 HR, 13 BB, 53 K, 1.26 WHIP, .264 vs RH, .276 vs LH.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 2, 2015 -

My agent has heard the White Sox are so disappointed in me and their team performance that they are shopping me around. Reportedly, the Mets are interested in me.

June 4, 2015 -

I have a very winnable start against the Royals who are starting Luke Hochevar tonight. He is 2-5 with a 8.23 ERA! I'm going to be pissed if my team doesn't light him up.

Carlos Quentin with a 2 run homer to start the game. We are up 2-0 as I take the mound for the first time.

Wigginton with a throwing error allows Collazo to get to 2nd with 1 out. Butler grounds up the middle, but Getz with a brilliant play to get the 2nd out. Miguel Olivo with a line drive to shallow left for a RBI single.

Struck out Mark Teahan with a 0-2 fastball to end the 2nd inning.

Struck out Tony Pena, Jr. with a 0-2 fastball to start the 3rd inning. Struck out Collazo to end the inning with a 1-2 inside fastball.

No! Alex Gordon hits a 3 run homer off me in the 4th. He caught a 1-1 fastball that had decent location (high and inside) but wasn't quite good enough. I respond by blowing 3 fastballs by Shealy for a strikeout and the 1st out of the inning. No. Enrique Manley hits a 3-1 slider to the same spot that Gordon did. Down 5-2 and my confidence is completely shattered again. The next 2 batters ground to Whaley to end the inning.

Ramirez with a RBI in the top of the 5th. Down 5-3.

Struck out Coco Crisp with a 3-2 fastball to start the 5th. 1-2-3 5th.

I'm pulled after 5. We lose the game 8-3 as they hit a 3 run homer off Lance Cormier in the 7th inning.

5 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 5 K. My record falls to 2-9. I'm in disbelief.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 8, 2015 -

We just lost 2 of 3 to last place Minnesota :( Our pen blew it both times as we lost 6-3 and 5-4.

June 10, 2015 -

Tonight, I'm starting at home vs the Tigers and the fans are turning on us. We are now 16 games behind Cleveland as we have a 24-36 record. Detroit is 21-36.

Struck out Richar with a 3-2 changeup to end the 1st inning.

Struck out Jason Kubal with a very low 1-2 fastball to start the 2nd inning.

Wildness costs me as I manage to walk the bases loaded in the 3rd with 2 outs and then Jason Kubal hits a 2 RBI single down the 1st base line. Zapata with a single up the middle and he knocks in another run. Laird hits a first pitch fastball up the middle by my feet for another RBI single. 4-0. What happened to when I was dominating the first month? Freel grounds out to Ty to end the inning.

A desperately needed 1-2-3 4th. Unfortunately, my guys are being no-hit (again) through 4.

Struck out Cabrera with a 1-2 outside fastball to start the 5th inning. 1-2-3 5th.

Mike pulls me after 5.

We lose the game 10-2.

My record falls to 2-10. This is disgusting. 5 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 3 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 14, 2015 -

A few things that have ruined us this year:

The injury to Bobby Jenks a few weeks ago. He tore his ACL and is done for the year.

- The injury to Kelvim Escobar last week. He'll be out 4-5 weeks. He hasn't done much this year, but he has kept us in games.

- Jerry Owens has been great in the field, but he is only hitting .239 and has a .286 OBP.

- Whaley is turning on the power, but is still only htting 250 and almost never walks.

- Dunn is even worse, he has 12 homers, but he is a strikeout machine. He is hitting .229 with a team high 63 strikeouts.

- Getz is brilliant in the field but is only hitting .220.

- Too many homers are solo shots.

- Lance Cormier and Denny Bautista (I can't believe I'm working with that jackass again) are killing us in middle relief. They both have ERA's over 5.

When we get to him, Markus Groniga has been lights out. He has 14 saves and still has a 0 ERA, but our pen without Jenks is a big disappointment.

I now have the worst ERA among starters with a 4.58. I need to do much better, but my confidence is terrible right now and I don't know how I'm going to get out of this spiral.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 15, 2015 -

Tonight, I'm starting at home vs the Brewers. They are starting Jorge De La Rosa who has a 2-5 record with a 6.13 ERA. Hopefully, the team will hit him well.. either way I need to pitch much better than I have the last 6 weeks or so.

Wigginton with a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 1st. 2-0 lead. :)

I'm ready to strangle Ramirez as he bobbles a perfect double play ball and gets no one. We now have bases loaded with 1 out and Ja Casillas at the plate. He hits a hard bounce back to me, I fire quickly to 2nd, and we barely get the double play. 1-6-3 to get out of the inning.

Ramirez with a RBI double in the bottom of the 2nd and then Ty knocks him in. 4-0 lead.

Struck out Orlando Velez with a 1-2 slider to end the 3rd inning.

With men on 1st and 2nd, I get a crucial strikeout of Ben Francisco with a 99 MPH high fastball for the 2nd out of the 4th. Next batter grounds out to Getz to end the inning.

Whaley with a RBI in the 4th. 5-0.

Getz starts a very nice 4-6-3 DP to end the 5th inning.

I hit Braun to start the 6th and then Frank Keppinger hits a hard grounder that gets past Ty. Braun moves to 3rd. No outs. Gamel hits a line drive to shallow center for a RBI single that moves Keppinger to 3rd. The next batter hits a hard grounder at me that I field. We get the 1-6-3 DP and Keppinger stayed at 3rd! Fernandez with a RBI single just barely past a diving Getz.

Took 10 pitches, but I strike out Angel Salome looking with a 3-2 slider for the 1st out of the 7th. 1-2-3 7th.

I've thrown 105 pitches so Mike pulls me after that. The pen does their job as new call-up Rosario Pulido pitches a perfect 8th and 9th for a 2 inning save, his career 1st. He struck out 4 over the 2 innings.

7 IP, 9 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. Hopefully, this win can get me out of my funk.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 21, 2015 -

We are 29-41. Tonight, I start at Wrigley Field against the Cubs who are in 1st place in their division. Mark Pryor is on the mound for them and he is 7-3 with a 3.42 ERA. I definitely need to watch out for Adrian Gonzalez who is hitting .359 with 12 HR's and 51 RBI's.

We take a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st on a solo homer by Ramirez (his 12th.)

Milton Bradley gets their 1st hit of the game in the bottom of the 2nd with a flare to left field. Now up is my old teammate, Nate McLouth. He hits the ball to deep right but Dunn catches it at the wall. There is a 15 MPH wind blowing out to right center and it almost pushed that out of the park. Struck out Kelly Shoppach, their catcher, with a 1-2 low fastball to end the 2nd.

Unexpectedly during my 2nd at bat, I hit a 2-2 fastball into left field for a single! Ramirez ends up knocking me in! 2-0.

With 1 out in the 5th, McLouth draws a walk and then Hiram Nunez hits it down the right field line for a RBI double.

Struck out Ian Kinsler with a 1-2 slider to start the 6th.

My 3rd at bat, a throwing error by the pitcher leads to me getting to 2nd with 0 outs! I end up scoring again this time on a RBI double by Owens! 3-1 lead as I take the mound in the bottom of the 7th.

McLouth with a leadoff single to left field. Paulino throws him out on an attempt to steal 2nd. Struck out Shoppach with a 1-2 fastball on the outside corner. Struck out Nunez with a 3-2 inside fastball to end the 7th.

Strike out Mike Fontenot, their SS, looking with a 2-2 fastball on the outside corner to end the 8th.

Mike turns the ball over to the pen for the 9th inning. We win the game 5-1.

My record rises to 4-10. 8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 27, 2015 -

Tonight, we host the Reds. They beat us last night in the first game of the series, 6-1. They are now atop the Cubs in the NL Central with a 43-30 record. We are 32-43 and 16.5 games behind the Indians.

Chris Dickerson hits a long fly ball down the left field line to start the game, Endy Chavez is racing to it, dives, and has it bounce off his glove. Double to start the game. I accidently hit the next guy and they have men on 1st and 2nd with no outs for Hanley Ramirez. He hits into a 4-6-3 DP, nice play by Getz to start that. I get the cleanup hitter, Garza, to pop up to end the inning.

Struck out Cirillo with a 2-2 slider to end the 3rd inning. I feel in complete control of the game so far.

Struck out Emile Main with a 1-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out of the 5th. Ty with a 2 out throwing error that puts men on 2nd and 3rd. Chris Dickerson at the plate. He has hits in both at bats.. I pitch him carefully and walk him on 4 pitches. I've had much better luck vs Tyson Cirillo.. he grounds it Ty to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 5th, Ramirez and Buck each have a RBI. 2-0 lead.

Ty with an error to start the 7th. That puts Main on 1st. I strike out Travis Buck with a 2-2 low fastball. The next batter almost hit into a 3-6-1 DP, but the runner just beat me to the base. 2 outs with a man on 1st and Chris Dickerson at the plate.. he hits a 3-0 fastball into shallow right but Dunn throws out Main going for 3rd to end the 7th.

Dunn with a RBI double in the 7th. 3-0 lead.

Struck out Hanley Ramirez with a 2-2 fastball for the first out of the 8th after giving up a leadoff single to Cirillo. With 2 outs, Votto hits the ball to shallow center for a single. Men on 1st and 2nd. Mike is going to let me have 1 last chance against Brandon Phillips.. He hits a 3-2 slider into right field for a RBI single. Mike takes me out after that. Come on, get the last out Kuo...

Yes! Kuo strikes out the batter to get out of the inning! Groniga pitches a perfect 9th for his 18th save on the year. We win the game 3-1.

My record rises to 5-10. 7.2 IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 1, 2015 -

We've just been swept by the Twins and fallen to 4th place behind them in the AL Central. Our playoff hopes seem like a very long shot now.

We are 27th in batting average. Carlos Quentin is the only batter hitting over .300. No one else is above .270. We are 6th in homers (Quentin leads the team with 20, Whaley with 17, and Alexei with 14.) We are 25th in runs scored. My old team, the Orioles are 10th :(.

Our staff is 20th in ERA with a 4.38. We are 4th in strikeouts.


A good month brings me back towards respectability:

5-10, 3.90 ERA, 16 GS, 9 QS, 99.1 IP, 100 H, 47 R, 43 ER, 7 HR, 21 BB, 73 K, 1.22 WHIP, .241 vs RH, .276 vs LH.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 3, 2015 -

Tonight I'm starting at home vs the Rangers. They are 44-35. We are 33-47. Stanley Mudd is their best hitter and batting cleanup.

Struck out Saltalamacchia, their DH, with a 1-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out of the 1st inning.

Terrible start to the 2nd inning, Mudd with an infield single as Ty dove but didn't get up in time to throw him out. Then, Hargrove hit the ball hard down the right field line for a double. Men on 2nd and 3rd with 0 outs..

I walk Buddy Theriot to load the bases. At least, I have double play chances now. Taylor Teagarden hits a grounder but just beats out the 3-6-1 DP. Men on 1st and 3rd with 1 out and 1-0 lead. Freddy Sandoval pops up an inside fastball back to me. Corey Patterson with a hard line drive but it is right at Whaley who catches it to end the inning.

Joaquin Arias starts the 3rd with a grounder past Ty. Quentin horribly misplays a ball by their DH and it turns into a RBI triple. Scot Olson with a 12 pitch at bat, before he finally hits a 3-2 slider up the middle for a RBI single. Down 3-0 at the end of 3.

Taylor Teagarden starts off the 4th by hitting the first pitch to right field for a homer. The wind is blowing out to right at 21 MPH and that wouldn't have cleared the wall without the push. Struck out Hargrove with a 2-2 slider for the 1st out of the 4th. Paulino throws out a runner at 2nd to end the 4th. He has a gun of an arm.

Whaley with a 3 run homer in the 4th. Down 4-3.

I pitch a strong 5th and 6th inning, but Mike pulls me after 6. He gets in my face after pulling me as well, telling me that I need to do much better.

We take the lead in the 7 inning on a 2 run homer by Ty. We win the game 5-4. Kuo gets the win.

6 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 9, 2015 -

This will be my last start before the All-Star break. It's at the Twins. I'm going against Scott Baker who is 6-8 with a 5.04 ERA. Both clubs are 37-48. I definitely need to be careful of Morneau who is hitting .310 with 19 HR's on the year. We are wearing throw back jerseys tonight!

We are up 1-0 in the 1st on a homer by Alexei Ramirez.

I strike out Morneau with a 2-2 slider for the 1st out of the 1st. I strike out Wiki Macias with a 2-2 change to end the 1st. I threw 22 pitches that inning as both batters fouled off quite a few pitches.

I strike out Jason Pridie for the 1st out of the 2nd with a 2-2 fastball. Torrie Miller with a line drive to shallow center gets runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out. Juan Uribe is at the plate.. Miller steals 2nd on the 1st pitch, Buck is catching tonight and he definitely doesn't have Paulino's quality arm.

I strike out Uribe with an outside 2-2 slider for the 2nd out. Matt Tolbert grounds out to Getz to end the inning.

Owens knocks in Buck in the top of the 3rd. 2-0 lead.

Morneau with a man on 1st and 0 outs, he hits it hard down the left field line, Quentin with an ill-advised dive, he misses. RBI triple for Morneau. Jamison Gary, their catcher, with a hard grounder past Ty for a RBI single. Tied at 2. Macias crushes the ball but it is to dead center and Owens races back and catches it at the warning track. Sheesh, Quentin misplays a line drive that was just a bit to his left and it turns into a double for Cuddyer. Pridie hits a 2-0 fastball into left field for a 2 RBI single. My control is wavering as is my confidence. I walk Uribe. I just can't concentrate. Tolbert hits into a 5-4-3 DP to end the inning and I let out a big sigh of relief. 4 runs on 6 hits that inning.

Dunn horribly misplays a ball in the 4th that leads to a RBI double for Gary. Down 5-2 after 4 innings.

Quentin with a 2 run homer in the 5th. I guess that makes up a bit for his horrid play tonight. Down 5-4.

Getz with a rare error to keep the inning going in the 5th. Men on 1st and 2nd with 2 outs and Morneau at the plate. Morneau hits it to the track, but Quentin catches it.

Mike pulls me after 5 innings. A terrible outing by me yet we get the win as Quentin really makes up for his miscues with a 2 run homer in the 6th and the 9th innings. We win the game 8-7 on his last homer. Kuo gets the win again.

5 IP, 13 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 13, 2015 -

The Indians sweep us before the break. A completely disappointing season.

The Orioles have 2 starting pitchers named to the AL Squad as well as their closer, their catcher (Saucedo), and their 3B (Lacey.)

We get Whaley on the squad (.259 with 19 HR's and 47 RBI's), Alexei (.286 with 17 HR's and 60 RBI's), and Carlos Quentin (.311 with 25 HR's and 61 RBI's.)

The AL wins the All-Star Game.

July 17, 2015 -

I'm too depressed to journal in detail. Needless to say, the Angels lit me up for 5 runs in the 1st and 3 runs in the 2nd. I lasted 1.2 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, and 1 K. My record drops to 5-11.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 19, 2015 -

Our team traded away Buck for a RP Ian Devore. He should be a very good RP in a few years but not much help now.

I need to calm myself down and come back with a strong last 1/2 to 1/3rd of a season.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 23, 2015 -

During the break, my pitching coach really helped me with my arm angle of my slider. He also pointed out to me that I'm getting stuck in too many patterns and that I need to vary my location and pitches more. Hopefully, I can apply the changes tonight as I get start against a very good Tampa Bay team at their place.

Getz with a solo homer in the 2nd! That is his 3rd of the year.

Ty with a very nice dive, recovery, and throw to get the 1st out to start the 2nd inning.

Ty with a 2 RBI double in the 2nd inning. 3-0 lead. :)

Struck out Nieves with an outside 2-2 fastball to start the 3rd inning.

Whaley with a solo homer in the 5th. We are up 4-0.

It took 10 pitches, but I struck out Rivera with a 3-2 change for the 1st out of the 5th.

Things start falling apart in the 6th. After a walk to Pena, a single by Bay, Nady hits a line drive to right field for a RBI single. Men on 1st and 3rd with 1 out. Matt Joyce is at the plate. NO! A 2-2 fastball misses over the plate and Joyce crushes it to right field for a 3 run homer! I was in complete control until this inning. I get out of the inning but the damage was done. I cost myself the win tonight.

We lose the game 5-4 on a run in the 9th.

6 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 28, 2015 -

Tonight I'm starting in Seattle. They are in last place in their division, I need to take advantage of their woes.

After allowing 2 singles to start the 2nd, I strike out Todd Helton looking with a 2-2 fastball on the outside corner. I strike out Geraldo Zavala with 3 straight fastballs, the last being outside. Enfield grounds out to Alexei to end the inning.

Struck out Brantley to end the 3rd with a 2-2 outside fastball.

Paulino with a RBI single in the top of the 4th. 1-0 lead.

In the 4th, men on 1st and 3rd with 1 out and Zavala at the plate. He chops it very weakly to Getz, no play but at 1st. Tied game.

Trouble in the 6th as they get 2 singles to start the inning, a hard hit to right, and a chopper in front of the plate. Chris Shelton is now up and I really need a strikeout.. He grounds out to Ty but the out is at 1st as the runner was running on contact. Todd Helton with a RBI single to right. 2-1. Zavala pops up for the 2nd out. Enfield grounds out to 2nd. At least, I limited the damage. Mike pulls me after that.

We win it in the 10th on a 3 run homer by Getz! 5-2 win.

6 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K (what happened to all of my strikeouts?)

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 1, 2015 -

The trade deadline has passed and I'm still in Chicago. We are 44-60 but the club didn't want to unload me unless they made a good deal and they didn't get any great offers. We are 26th in runs scored and 22nd in team ERA.

This is a disaster of a season as I was hoping to get a big raise from the 15 million I'm making this year. I should have taken the 2 year 30 million dollar deal that I was offered. Here are my stats:

5-11, 4.50, 21 GS, 10 QS, 124 IP, 145 H, 70 R, 62 ER, 28 BB, 85 K, 1.40 WHIP, .286 vs RH, .291 vs LH.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 4, 2015 -

Tonight, I get the start at home vs the Royals. They are 55-50. We are now 45-61.

Struck out Billy Butler with a 2-2 inside fastball for the 2nd out in the 1st. Two 2 out singles have the bases loaded in the 1st. A 0-2 slider gets Ryan Shealy to fly out weakly to center.

With 2 outs in the 2nd, I field a bunt by Coco Crisp but overthrow the ball into right field. Men on 2nd and 3rd for Fidel Collazo as a result. He grounds out to Ty to end the inning.

Struck out Alex Gordon with an outside fastball to end the 3rd.

Struck out Miguel Olivo with a 1-2 inside fastball to end the 4th.

Struck out Coco Crisp with a 2-2 outside fastball to start the 5th. This is more like it. Collazo with a single to left. Then, he attempts to steal 2nd and the throw from Paulino sails into center. The runner advances to 3rd with 1 out. Butler hits a come back to me. I look back the runner and then throw it 1st for the 2nd out. Alex Gordon flares a 1-1 fastball into left field for a RBI single. It gets much worse as Shealy hits a high fastball into right center for a 2 RBI double. Down 3-0 after 5.

I give up a leadoff single to Teahan in the 6th and Mike pulls me. Franklyn German gives up the inherited run. We lose the game 7-0.

My record drops to 5-12. 5 IP, 10 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

August 9, 2015 -

Tonight's game is against the Twins in Minnesota.

I get a huge boost as the team scores 4 runs in the top of the 1st on a 3 run homer by Ty.

They get 1 one back with a leadoff double by Pridie and 2 ground outs by Morneau and Gary.

Owens and Chavez with RBI's in the 2nd. 6-1 lead.

Dunn with a 2 run homer in the 4th. 8-1 lead.

Struck out Gary with a 1-2 fastball to start the bottom of the 4th. Struck out Casilla with a 0-2 fastball to end the inning.

9-1 lead after the top of the 7th.

I'm very disappointed that Mike pulled me after 7 innings. I only threw 80 pitches. We win the game 9-1.

My record rises to 6-12. 7 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 15, 2015 -

Tonight I'm starting in Kansas City. They are 60-55. We are 47-68.

I strike out Flores with a 3-2 change to end the 1st.

I strike out Aviles with a 0-2 fastball for the 1st out of the 2nd. I strike out Mark Teahen with a 2-2 change for the 2nd out.

Coco Crisp starts off the 3rd with a double down the left field line. Struck out Collazo with a 2-2 outside slider for the 1st out. Butler hits a 3-1 low fastball into left center for a RBI single. Flores hits into a 5-4-3 DP to end the inning.

Whaley and Ty with RBI's in the top of the 4th. 2-1 lead.

I give a leadoff walk in the 7th and get pulled. Mike goes to Kuo who pitches a perfect 7th and 8th. Groniga gets his 26th save in the 9th. He has a 1.14 ERA! We win the game 4-1.


My record rises to 7-12. 6 IP, 8 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 21, 2015 -

Tonight we host the Angels. Hopefully, this start will go better than my last vs them. They are 80-40. We are 50-70. They have a bunch of great hitters in the heart of their lineup with Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, and Carlos Lee. They are surrounded by excellent complimentary players and their offense is 1st in the majors. Whaley is hurt for and won't be starting tonight.

Pujols is hitting .306 with 28 HR's and 85 RBI's. Despite having 2 outs and no men on, I approach him very carefully. He manages to lace an inside fastball to left field for a single. Hamilton is hitting .296 with 30 HR's and 101 RBI's. I'm going to approach him even more carefully, but they have 2 more very good hitters behind him.. I strike him out with a 2-2 change!

Carlos Lee is hiting .313 with 23 HR's and 88 RBI's. I get him to ground to Ty. 1-2-3 2nd.

Struck out Cesar Izturis with a 2-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out of the 3rd. 1-2-3 3rd.

1 out, no men on as Albert comes up in the 4th. He hits a 1-2 fastball to right field for the fly out. I strike out Hamilton with a 1-2 slider to end the inning.

1-2-3 5th. I'm feeling great tonight.

Struck out Wilson with a 1-2 change to start the 6th. I strike out Placido Cavazos with a 1-2 inside fastball to end the 6th. That was my 100th strikeout of the year.

1 out and no men on as Albert comes to the plate in the 7th. Still a scoreless game. He weakly grounds a 1-2 slider to 1st for the out. Hamilton beats out a slow grounder deep in the hole for Ramirez. Carlos follows that with a first pitch line drive down the left field line for a double. Men on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. Wilson Cotts is at the plate. Cotts flies out to Chavez in left field for the 3rd out. Whew.

My counterpart finally leaves the game, but their pen pitches a perfect 8th. Still a scoreless game.

I strike out Wilson with a 2-2 slider for the 2nd out of the 8th. 1-2-3 8th.

We fail to score in the bottom of the 8th and Mike decides 110 pitches is enough for me. They score in the top of the 10th off of a new callup Ruddy Velasquez. We lose the game 1-0.

8 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 K. I wish I got the win, but I feel great about that effort against this lineup. Hopefully, this can be a launching pad for a great last month.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 26, 2015 -

Tonight, I'm starting in Detroit. They have lost the first game of this series to us.

We are up 1-0 in the 1st on a RBI by Alexei.

Big strikeout of Miguel Cabrera with a 3-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 1st with a man on 1st.

Struck out Gerald Laird with a 100 MPH 3-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 2nd inning.

Dunn with a RBI single in the 3rd. 2-0 lead.

Struck out Chone Figgins with a 3-2 fastball to end the 3rd.

Struck out Jason Kubel with a 1-2 fastball to start the 4th.

I just shake my head as Gerald Laird hits a 3-2 changeup for a 3 run homer in the 4th. They take a 3-2 lead.

Dunn with 1 RBI and Ty with 2 in the top of the 5th. 5-3 lead.

I strike out Kubel with a 2-2 fastball to end the 5th.

Big 6th inning as we score 4 more runs, mostly by the heart of our order. 9-3 lead.

Bad start to the 6th as I let 2 hits get guys on 2nd and 3rd. However, I get Zapata to pop up to 1st. Then, Laird hits it to shallow right. Dunn gets it lined up, catches it and immediately unleashes a strong throw home. It gets Cabrera by a step to end the inning!

Owen almost makes an amazing catch, but the dive misses and Brandon Boggs gets a 2 out triple in the 7th. Mike pulls me after that.

Kuo allows the inherited run to score but pitches the rest of the game perfectly. We win the game 9-4.

My record rises to 8-12. 6.2 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 1, 2015 -

The club is 56-74, 21 games back behind the Indians and I imagine we are going to play some young guys this last month. We are 26th in batting average at .259 as a team. We are 26th in runs scored at 541. We are 6th in homers with 166.

We are 19th in ERA at 4.33. We are 9th in strikeouts with 744 as a staff.

A good month has redeemed my season slightly: 8-12, 4.14 ERA, 26 GS, 13 QS, 156.2 IP, 177 H, 80 R, 72 ER, 11 HR, 31 BB, 106 K, 1.33 WHIP, .282 vs RH, .285 vs LH.

[Sun Tzu]

What are your thoughts on resigning with Chicago? Actually I guess a better question is are you still arbitration eligible?

[Eaglesfan27]

I'm fairly sure I'll have approximately 5 1/2 years of service after the season. Therefore, I believe I'll be arbitration eligible for 1 more year. If so, I definitely won't sign more than a 1 year deal with them as I could see the offense outside of Whaley getting old in the next year or two.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 1, 2015 -

Tonight, I start against the indians who are 77-53. We are 56-74. They have the #3 offense in scoring, #4 in batting average, and #3 in HR's so they will be very challenging. However, I feel like things are all on the verge of clicking for me.


Struck out Armand Lorenz with a 1-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out of the 1st inning. Sizemore grounds to Getz to end the inning. 1-2-3 1st.

Donald Davila is hitting .316 with 36 HR's and 116 RBI's. He grounds down the third base line. Ty dives and gets it, but his recovery and throw are late. Infield grounder. With 2 outs, Travis Hafner comes to the plate and Donald at 2nd. He is hitting .291 with 26 HR's and 75 RBI's. I pitch him very carefully, but he chases pitches and I strike him out with a 2-2 outside fastball to end the inning.

I strike out Asdrubal Cabrera with a 2-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out of the 3rd. Corey Hart draws 11 pitches before I walk him with a 3-2 curve.

Struck out Kelvin Dittfurth with a 0-2 outside fastball to end the 4th.

Struck out Bill Hall with a 3-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 5th.

I make 2 very good defensive plays on grounders back at me in the 6th. I've become much better at reacting once I finish my release over the last year.

0-0 as I take the mound in the 7th. I walk Davila on 4 straight pitches that all barely missed. Sandoval gets a ground ball in between Ty and Alexei. That is only the 2nd hit I've allowed but Mike pulls me!

We win the game 1-0 in the 10th inning. Kuo gets the win. Groniga gets his 30th save.

6.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 6, 2015 -

We've won 4 of our last 5 including a sweep of Cleveland. Now, I'm starting at home vs the Royals. They are still barely alive in the WC chase with a 72-63 record although the Yankees are going to be hard to catch.

Struck out Flores with a high 0-2 fastball to start the 2nd inning. Struck out Alex Gordon with a 2-2 low fastball.

Struck out Flores with a 1-2 fastball to end the 4th inning.

Quentin with a RBI double in the 4th and then Aybar knocks him in. 2-0 lead.

Struck out Shealy with a 1-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 5th.

Struck out Olivo with a 2-2 slider to start the 6th. Crisp draws a walk as my change just misses the zone. So frustrating as I shatter Collazo's bat but the ball flares just over Whaley's head for a single to right field. Butler up with men on 1st and 2nd. Butler hits the 1st pitch, a slider, into a 3-6-1 DP!

Flores starts off the 7th inning by hitting my first pitch to right center for a homerun. 2-1 game. Struck out Shealy with a 2-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 7th. A 3-2 slider gets away from me (as did a few other pitches) and I walk Avila.

Mike decides 103 pitches and my wavering control is enough. He gives the ball to Quezada who gets out of the inning. Velasquez piches a perfect 8th. Groniga strikes out the side in the 9th! That is his 33rd save. His ERA is 0.90 now. We win the game 2-1.

My record rises to 9-12. 6.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 11, 2015 -

We swept Oakland and had a 5 game winning streak before losing a game tonight to the Tigers. Mike decided to start a rookie and he was lit up for 8 runs in the 1st 2 innings as we lost 12-7. Part of the reason he did that is our pitchers are banged up. All of the following pitchers are out right now:

Chris Young (torn finger ligament), he's been out for at least a month and will be out a few more weeks.

Kuo just pulled a hammy. He'll be out a few more weeks.

Jenks still has a few months to rehab from his injury. He only played in 6 games this year before being injured (didn't realize he was hurt so early.)

German tore his hamstring 4 weeks ago and is done for the year.

Hernandez tore his ACL and has been out for the entire year.


I have a start tomorrow night and probably 3 more after that. Hopefully, I can keep this good streak going and get above .500.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 12, 2015 -

Tonight I start at home vs the Tigers. They are 54-87 and are struggling offensively outside of Cabrera and Granderson. We are 64-76.

Struck out Chone Figgins with a 1-2 slider to start the game. I hit the 2nd batter with a slider that got away and then Cabrera gets an infield single as it bounces off a diving Alexei's glove. Granderson flies to deep center moving the runner to 3rd. Kubel flies to deep left but Carlos barely catches up to it at the track. Big sigh of relief there.

Whaley with a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 1st. 2-0 lead.

Bloomquist starts off the 3rd with a single, takes 2nd on a sac fly to deep right and is knocked in with 2 outs by a single from Cabrera.

Struck out Bloomquist for the first out of the 5th with an inside 2-2 fastball. Bumgarner with a RBI to right field. Men on 1st and 3rd with 1 out and Cabrera up. He fights off a few pitches before hitting a 2-2 fastball over the right field wall. Down 5-2. I strike out Granderson with a 2-2 change for the 2nd out of the 5th. I get out of the inning but that was horrible.

Mike pulls me after that inning. We score 2 in the 5th and 3 in the 9th to win it 7-6 on a walkoff 3 run homer by Carlos Quentin. That was his 39th of the year.

5 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 17, 2015 -

Tonight I'm starting on the road vs the Rangers.

I strike out Joaquin Arias with a 3-2 change to begin the game. With a 2-2 outside fastball, I strike out Jarrod Saltalamacchia for the 2nd out of the 1st. 1-2-3 1st.

A 3-2 change misses badly and Corey Patterson gets a walk to start the 3rd. Patterson steals 2nd and then after a popup, he steals 3rd too. Arias hits a bounce back to me. I look back Patterson before throwing out Arias. I strike out Jarrod with a 0-2 outside fastball to end the inning.

Burnitz is starting at 2nd for us tonight and he gets a RBI single in the 4th inning. 1-0 lead.

Trouble in the 4th as Scot Olson (who is leading the AL in avg) hits a single to right center and then Thomas Hargrove drives a 1-2 change hard down the right field line for a double. Men on 2nd and 3rd with 0 outs and Buddy Theriot at the plate. Theriot with an infield single. Tied game and men on 1st and 3rd with 0 outs. I strike out Sandoval with a low 1-2 fastball for the 1st out. Ronny Cedeno with a single to center but Owens guns down Theriot attempting to go to 3. Down 2-1. I strike out Patterson with a low 1-2 fastball to end the inning.

I strike out Arias looking with at a 3-2 fastball at the knees to end the 5th.

Dunn and Alexei each with an RBI in the 6th. 3-2 lead.

Olson starts off the 6th with a single up the middle. Ronnie throws him out attempting to steal on the 1st pitch. After 9 pitches, I strike out Hargrove with a 2-2 outside fastball.

Sandoval gives me a scare as he hits the first pitch of the 7th to deep right, but Dunn catches it at the wall. Cedeno hits a slider hard to left field for a double. Mike decides it is time to go the pen. He brings in Denny Bautista :(

I don't believe it, Bautista only allowed 1 hit and got out of the inning. Richard pitched a strong 8th inning. Groniga had a horrible 9th giving up 2 runs but we had scored 2 in the 8th, so we hold on to win 5-4. Groniga gets his 38th save. I get my 10th win :)


6.1 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 23, 2015 -

We've won 4 of our last 5 including last night against Cleveland in the 1st game of this series. Tonight, I'm starting at home. We are 71-79. The Indians are 86-64.

Wow. A rare sight as Owens races in but misses a low catch of a flare to center. It's scored a single for Corey Hart. I keep their 3 big sluggers from hitting it out of the infield to get out of the inning.

Whaley with a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 1st. 2-0 lead. That was his 30th homer of the year.

They get runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out in the 2nd. Pablo Sandoval at the plate. Sandoval hits it weakly to Ty. We are just a second late turning the 5-4-3. Run scores with Sandoval at 1st. Up 2-1.

Corey Hart fights off an inside fastball to shallow center for a single to start the 3rd. Lorenz hits into a 4-6-3 DP. Lorenz argues the call and he is ejected!

Quentin with a 3 run homer in the 3rd. That was his 101st RBI. We score 4 in the inning to take a 6-1 lead.

Travis Hafner hits the 1st pitch of the 3rd to VERY deep right. That is his 30th homer of the year. 6-2. I strike out Dittfurth looking with a 2-2 slider at the knees. I strike out Pablo Sandoval with a 2-2 low fastball to end the inning.

1-2-3 5 pitch 5th inning.

Sizemore pops up the first pitch of the 6th. I strike out Travis Hafner with a 1-2 low outside fastball. Dittfurth pops up the first pitch to Ty.

Jhonny Peralta starts off the 7th with a single up the middle. Ground ball to 1st, but I'm late covering first preventing the 3-6-1 DP. I get the next 2 batters to fly out to center.

1st pitch of the 8th is popped up to Whaley by Hart. I strike out Hall with a 97 MPH fastball on the outside corner for the 2nd out of the 8th. Sizemore draws a 7 pitch walk. Hafner flies out to left to end the 8th.

I've thrown 103 pitches, so Mike decides to go to the pen for the 9th. Richard pitches a scoreless 9th. We win the game 6-2.

My record rises to 11-12. 8 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 28, 2015 -

This is my 2nd to last start of the year. Tonight, we are at home vs the Twins. They are 72-84. We are 74-81. I'm hoping to have my 3rd quality start in a row. Wow. We have a HUGE crowd of almost 51,000 here tonight.

I strike out Miller with a 2-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 1st. That brings up Morneau. I strike him out with a low 0-2 fastball.

Carlos Quentin with his 41st homer of the year, a solo shot in the 1st. 1-0 lead.

With men on 1st and 2nd and 2 outs, Juan Uribe hits a hard grounder down the 3rd base line for a RBI double. I walk the bases loaded. Gardner grounds out to Alexei to end the inning. Gardner is only hitting .192 on the year (but is an excellent defender.)

I strike out Miller with a 2-2 outside fastball to start the 3rd. Morneau hits the 1st pitch to deep center but Owens has it. 1-2-3 3rd.

I strike out Gardner with a 0-2 outside fastball to end the 5th.

I strike out Miller with a 2-2 outside fastball to start the 6th. That's his 3rd of the game. Morneau hits a 1-2 outside fastball weakly to 3rd for a ground out. A 2 out single by Cuellar is followed by a RBI double to right center by Urdaneta. Cuellar beat the throw by just a microsecond. Alexei just misses a ground ball and that scores Urdaneta.

We've been 1 hit going into the bottom of the 6th.. We score 1 in the bottom of the 7th on a RBI by Ramirez and then 1 in the 9th on a RBI by Ty. We win it 4-3 in the 12th when Ramirez scores.

6 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 3, 2015 -

My final start of the year is against the Orioles in Baltimore. The crowd boos me lustily as I take the field.

Dunn with a RBI single in the 1st to make it 1-0.

Ty with 2 excellent defensive plays to start the game. Lacey lines out to Getz to end the 1st.

Saucedo with a hard groundball for a single to start the 2nd. Wow. Saucedo steals 2nd as the throws is offline. I stirke out Betemit with a 1-2 low fastball. Helms grounds to Getz and moves Saucedo to 3rd. Pie pops it up behind the plate to end the inning.

Ty knocks in Chavez in the top of the 3rd. 2-0 lead.

I strike out Daniel Murphy with an outside 0-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 3rd. Chris Duncan with a 2 out 2 run homer. He just hit a good low fastball. That was his 17th of the year. Tied at 2.

Saucedo draws a 9 pitch lead off walk to start the 4th. Betemit hits a little chopper down the 1st base line and there is confusion between myself and Ronnie. Ronnie finally fields it but everyone is safe. I get Helms to pop up to 1st. Pie hits a ball to center and Endy Chavez just misplays it. Wow. They call it a single. Bases loaded with 1 out. Kevin Frandsen hits it hard right back at me. I throw home and we get the 1-2-3 DP!

I strike out Murphy with a 2-2 high inside fastball for the 2nd out of the 5th. I strike out Chris Davis with a 2-2 splitter. I've definitely got a lot of work to do on the pitch this offseason, but it is improving.

Lacey starts off the 6th with a line drive to left for a single. Saucedo hits the 1st pitch almost the exact same spot. Men on 1st and 2nd.

NO! Wilson Betemit catches a 3-2 fastball (that was higher than I wanted) and hits it into the 3rd row of right center. 5-2. Mike pulls me after that. I'm not going to get to .500 this year.

If I just could have gotten through that inning, I could have had the win. We scored 8 in the top of the 7th! We win the game 10-5. Denny Bautista gets my win.

5 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 5, 2015 -

We turned around our horrid start and finished the year 80-82, but it isn't nearly good enough to get into the Playoffs. The Yankees get the Wild Card with a 98-64 record. The division winners are:

Phillies 95-67 (my top choice if I do become a FA.)
Reds 93-69
Dodgers 91-71

NL WC Chicago 91-71

Red Sox 104-58
Cleveland 92-70
Angels 105-57

The Angels beat the Yankees, then the Red Sox, and then the Phillies in the World Series. They won in 5 games.

Albert Pujols was the World Series MVP. He hit .412 with 2 HR's and 7 RBI's.

Carlos Pena, TB, won the AL MVP. He hit .313 with 44 HR's and 131 RBI.

Ben Sheets, Boston, won the AL Cy Young with a 3.36 ERA and a 18-3 record.

Jonathan Papelbon won the Rolaids Relief Award with 56 saves for the Angels.

Thomas Hargrove, Texas, won AL Rookie of the Year with .280, 23 HR's, and 94 RBI.

Boston had 6 Gold Glovers. Maybe they will be my top target (especially if the Phillies don't offer me.)


My final stats on the year:

11-12, 4.05 ERA, 33 GS, 18 QS, 200 IP, 214 H, 98 R, 90 ER, 16 HR, 44 BB, 140 K, 1.29 WHIP, .288 vs RH, .257 vs LH.

[Eaglesfan27]

Nov 1, 2015 -

Notable retirements:

Ty Wigginton :(
Wilson Betemit, Bal
Julio Lugo, Bos
Edgar Renteria, Bos
Alex Rodriguez, Yankees
Scott Rolen, Toronto
Brian Buscher, Minn (due to career ending injury)
Albert Pujols, Angels
Todd Helton, Seattle
Carlos Beltran, Mets
Luis Castillo, Mets (they had 8 guys retire.)
Troy Glaus, Phillies (they had 12 guys retire including 3 starting pitchers.)
Chris Carpenter, Cardinals
Barry Zito, Giants


My agent explains that I do not have 6 years of MLB service time yet, so I can either sign a 1 year deal or go to Arbitration if the White Sox decide to offer me that.


Nov 6, 2015 -

The club re-signed Hong-Chih Kuo to a 5 year deal worth 15 million.

The Angels gave Jake Peavy 40 million for 2 years.


Nov 14, 2015 -

A bunch of my teammates became FA's including:

RP Franklyn German, RP Brad Thompson, CF Jerry Owens, LF Endy Chavez, CF Charlton Jimerson, and SP Chris Young.

There are a bunch of big name FA's out there. I wonder how many will switch clubs?


Nov 17, 2015 -

The White Sox have offered me a 2 year deal worth 37 million. I love the money, but I really want to be able to test FA next year if I don't like the direction the team is taking. However, I do like the fact that they have told me they are committed to a 140 Million dollar payroll.

Still, I want to preserve my FA years if I don't like their direction. So, I counter with 1 year for 19 million. I'm delighted when they accept!

[Eaglesfan27]

Nov 18, 2015 -

The Red Sox re-sign Brandon Webb for 5 years and 92 Million. They also re-sign Ben Sheets to 6 years and 72 million.

My club re-signed Whaley to a 2 year deal worth 15 million avoiding arbitration. They also signed FA RP Joey Devine to a 3 year deal worth 12 million. I hope he is good. Looking forward to meeting him in spring training.

The Indians re-sign Grady Sizemore to a 2 year deal worth 31 million.


Nov 28, 2015 -

The Orioles re-signed Saucedo to a 7 year 53 million dollar deal.

The Yankees re-signed CF Willy Taveras to a 5 year deal worth 50 million.

The Indians signed Closer Matt Capps to a 4 year deal worth 20 million.

The Cubs re-signed Aramis Ramirez for 2 years and 24 million.

The Dodgers re-signed Matt Kemp for 3 years and 32 million.

The Giants signed the first big FA move - Ryan Braun for 5 years and 85 million.


Dec 5, 2015 -

The Red Sox make the next big FA signing. They get Francisco Rodriguez to close for them for 6 years and 75 million.


The Yankees re-signed Vlad for 2 years and 20 million. They also signed 2B Brandon Phillips for 4 years and 35 million. I wonder where Utley is going to play?

YES! We signed 2B Robinson Cano for 4 years and 20 million. I hope he still has some range left. He definitely will be an offensive upgrade, as much as I like Getz.

The team also re-signed Chris Young for 2 years and 21 million.


The Twins re-signed Carlos Zambrano for 4 years and 50 million.

The Angels land a big FA as they sign Miguel Cabrera to replace the retired Pujols. They give him 85 million for 5 years.

The Braves sign FA SP Fausto Carmona to a 5 year deal worth 55 million.

The Cubs re-signed Adrian Gonzalez for 55 million over 3 years.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec 20, 2015 -

Yes, we re-signed a bunch of guys today. Most importantly, we re-signed Jerry Owens to a 2 year deal for just over 4 million. We also signed 2 role players in catcher Colton Luke and 1B Radhames Coco.


Feb 1, 2016 -

I can't believe I'm 25 already. Only a few weeks until spring training starts. A look back at the last month shows a few more encouraging moves by the club:

They picked up veteran catcher Carlos Ruiz as a steady backup. However, no other big name splashes. They did sign 5 AAA type guys.


Feb 25, 2016 -

A look at the key components of the roster this year:

I'm 25 now and most experts are picking me to have a breakout year.

Whaley's 30 homers last year were a career high. Most experts are predicting a bigger year from him this year.

RP Bobby Jenks appears recovered from his injury. If he can stay healthy, he'll be a huge part of our pen.

SP John Denks led the team with 14 wins last year. He is expected to have another very good year.

SP Chris Young - injuries hurt him last year but he still had a very respectable year.

SP Edinson Volquez had a career high 186 K's but was the victim of poor run support and finished 8-11. He's expected to be even better this year.

LF Carlos Quentin is 32 now and is in the prime of his career. He had a career high 43 HR's and 112 RBI last year. I expect him to do better on the RBI's with Cano setting the plate.

2B Robinson Cano is 32 and is still in the prime of his career. He is a free swinger but he has excellent plate coverage. He is a solid defender as well. He hit a career high .288 last year with 18 HR's and 84 RBI.

CP Markus Groniga had 42 saves in his first full season with a 1.83 ERA. He has a nasty 4 seam fastball, a very good sinker, and an excellent cutter.

Hong-Chih Kuo had over 100 K's and a sub 3 ERA. We have a great pen if he and Jenks can both stay healthy.

Our projected opening day lineup:

CF Jerry Owens - I love his speed and defense but he needs to get on base more.

2B Robinson Cano - Should be a very good #2 hitter.

1B Whaley only hit .256 last year. He needs to improve on that, but I think he will.

RF Adam Dunn - At 35, I worry about him starting to slow down. He had a career low .254 avg last year and struck out way too much. Then again, he did have 35 HR's and 83 RBI's.

LF Carlos Quentin

SS Alexei Ramirez - He hit a career high .294 with 27 HR's and 103 RBI (both career highs.) If he can come close to duplicating that again, I'll be very happy.

3B Gerard Burnitz is a natural 2B, but he can play 3B fairly well. This will be his first full year but the job is his to lose. He is projected to be a fairly good fielder with little speed, good contact, and some decent pop. He is projected to get much better in the future.

DH Owen Budde - I'd like to see us upgrade here. Budde has not impressed in limited action. He hit .246 last year.

C Ronny Paulino - He only hit .234 last year, but there are few catchers I would trade him for. He has a quality arm and got me out of many jams last year.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 1, 2016 -

We started out very hot in Spring Training but ended up 9th in the Cactus League. Not very encouraging. Hopefully, I can get us off to a good start in the opener in a few days.

The good news is that I was absolutely dominating this Spring with a 1.54 ERA. I've finally got my slider to where I want it. It's now an elite pitch along with my fastball. If I had to grade my pitches I'd say:

Fastball A+
Slider A+
Change B+
Curve C
Splitter C

Hopefully, I can work hard with the pitching coach this year to improve my splitter and really keep guys off balance.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 4, 2016 -

We get thrown right into the fire with a 4 game series in New York. I'm starting the Season Opener at Yankee Stadium against Joba Chamberlain. They have a strong lineup even with A-Rod retired:

SS Jose Reyes
2B Chase Utlet
3B Mark Teixeira
C Orlando Figueroa
LF Chase Headley
RF Vlad
3B Rico Estrada
DH Brandon Phillips (ahh, that is why they signed him)
CF Melky Cabrera

Our Lineup is only slightly different than I projected. Another rookie 3B won the job (for now) in spring training. Jose Ferreira is a natural 3B who is a better defender so I'm glad he won it, as long as he can hit some. He is hitting 8th and Budde is hitting 7th.


We start off the game with a single by Cano and then a 2 run homer by Whaley! That is encouraging! Strong wing blowing out to center today at 22 MPH.

Jose tries to bunt for a hit to start the game but our Jose makes a great play to charge it, barehand it, and throw the speedy runner out. I strike out Utley with a 3-2 slider for the 2nd out. I strike out Mark with a 2-2 slider to end the inning.

Jose dives and catches a hard liner by Orlando to start the 2nd inning. With 2 outs, Vlad with a hard grounder that just gets by Cano. Estrada hits my first pitch to him to deep left center for a RBI double. After I walk Phillips, Melky grounds to 1st to end the inning.

Darn. My first pitch in the 3rd, a slider, gets away from me and hits Reyes in the ribs. He steals 2nd. I strike out Utley with a 3-2 fastball on the outside corner. A passed ball allows Reyes to advance to 3rd, but the next pitch is a 2-2 slider that strikes out Mark. Orlando draws a walk on a 3-2 slider that misses outside. Headley grounds to Cano to end the inning.

Sheesh. Estrada gets me again, this time a solo homer to right center. I guess I better start pitching him like he is A-Rod.

I strike out Utley for the 3rd time to start the 5th. This time with a 0-2 outside fastball. A 2-0 slider gets away from me and hits Mark in the ribs. Orlando hits a 2-2 fastball off the left field wall for a double. Headley hits a bullet groundball past Cano for a RBI single. 3-2. Crap. Vlad hits the first pitch, a low slider, to deep right for a 3 run homer. So much for my great start to the year. Mike pulls me right after that. He brings in Taylor Osborn for long relief.

We lose the game 6-4 as Whaley had another RBI in the 7th and Owens also had a RBI in the inning.

4.1 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 2 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 8, 2016 -

Terrible start to the year as the Yankees swept us. They won 16-10, 10-2, and 4-3 in the other 3 games of the series. At least, we won our first game against the Angels tonight as we beat them 5-3.

Oh yeah, the bright spot is that Jose Ferreira is hitting well early. He's batting .368 with 3 HR's and 7 RBI's after 5 starts. However, the word on the team is that he is a much worse defender that I anticipated. He has had some bad games already, but I like what he did behind me.

Cano, Owens, Quentin, and Whaley are all hitting well very early.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 9, 2016 -

Tonight I'm starting against the Angels at home. They are 2-2. We are 1-4. We have just over 50,000 fans here tonight.

They have a strong lineup:

3B Wilson Cotts
LF Carlos Lee
1B Miguel Cabrera
CF Josh Hamilton
DH Delmon Chance
2B Michael Cuddyer
RF Placido Cavazos
C Bobby wilson
SS Cesar Izturis

Our lineup is the same except Tony Gwynn, Jr. is starting in center and leading off tonight.

Dunn with a RBI single in the 1st and Quentin right behind him hits a 2 run homer. 3-0 lead after 1.

I strike out Placido with a 2-2 fastball for the 1st out of the 3rd.

Dunn with a solo homer in the 3rd. 4-0 lead.

My no-hitter/perfect game is broken up in the 4th when Cabrera hits it to the right-center wall for a 2 out double. A 2-0 slider gets away from me and hits Josh in the ribs. He is pissed off. Chance grounds out to Cano to end the inning.

Cano with a 3 run homer in the 4th! 7-0 lead. :)

I strike out Cuddyer with a 1-2 fastball to start the 5th. Jose with an error that keeps the 5th going. Men on 1st and 2nd with Cotts at the plate. Cotts with an infield single to load the bases with 2 outs. Carlos Lee draws a walk as a 3-2 fastball just misses the corner. I can't believe I walked in a run. Cabrera grounds to Jose to end the inning.

1-2-3 6th as Gwynn made 2 solid plays out in center.

My control is faltering as I walk Wilson with 1 out in the 7th. Jose lets a grounder by Cesar go through his legs. I can't believe that isn't called an error. It was a hard grounder, but easily should have been a double play ball. I get Cotts to hit into a 3-6-1 DP to end the inning!

Mike is very happy with my work but pulls me since I've thrown 112 pitches. Devine pitches 2 scoreless innings to end the game.

We win the game 8-1.

My record is now 1-1. 7 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 15, 2016 -

It's been very disappointing to see our club lose our last 4 games including being swept by the Royals. They beat us 6-2, 6-3, and 7-2 in our 3 games. I need to break the losing streak tonight as we travel to play Texas on Jackie Robinson Day.

The Rangers' Lineup:

2B Scot Olson
RF Trammell
3B JC Siegel
1B Thomas Hargrove (last year's rookie of the year)
LF Buddy Theriot
SS Joaquin Arias
DH Ronny Cedeno
CF Corey Patterson
C Chris Stewart

I'm disgusted to see we are starting Owen Budde in center. That could be a disaster. I don't know why Mike is doing that and using Owens as a DH. That makes zero sense to me. Also, he is batting Carlos Quentin 9th!?! Our lineup tonight:

CF Owen Budde
SS Alexei Ramirez
1B Whaley
RF Dunn
2B Cano
C Paulino
DH Owens
3B Jose Ferreira
LF Quentin


Budde with a nice catch in center to start the 2nd. I'm pleasantly surprised with the quick reaction on that play.

Alexei with a solo homer in the 3rd. 1-0 lead.

I strike out Patterson with an outside fastball for the 2nd out of the 3rd.

I stirke out Olson with 3 straight fastballs to start the 4th. Trammell with a 1 out double in the 4th that is my first hit given up today. A fly to center moves the runner to 3rd. Hargrove grounds out to Jose who bobbles the ball but recovers and throws a laser to beat Hargrove by a step.

I strike out Arias with a 1-2 outside fastball for the 1st out of the 5th. I strike out Cedeno with a low 1-2 fastball for the 2nd out.

Cano starts the 6th by throwing the ball into the stands! That puts Olson on 2nd with 0 outs. I strike out Trammell with a 3-2 change, Olson barely beats the throw and steals 3rd. A 2-2 slider gets away from me and is a wild pitch allowing Olson to score. I strike out Siegel with a low fastball on the next pitch. Tied at 1 after 6.

Whaley with a 2 RBI triple in the top of the 7th knocking in Budde and Alexei. We lead 3-1.

I strike out Theriot with a 1-2 outside fastball to start the bottom of the 7th. I strike out Arias with an outside 2-2 fastball for the 2nd out. Cedeno with a 2 out double down the left field line. Patterson flies to the right center cap but Budde does a good job of getting there.

1-2-3 8th as they all hit routine flyballs.

Mike turns to Groniga for the 9th. Groniga hurts himself with 2 outs :( Kuo comes in and gets the save. I hope it isn't too bad. We win the game 3-1.

My record rises to 2-1. 8 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 16, 2016 -

The docs say that Groniga isn't hurt bad and should be available again in a few days.


April 20, 2016 -

After my last start, we went on a 5 game winning streak! Hopefully, I can keep it going. We swept the Rangers by winning 6-2 and 8-4. Then, we won the first two in Oakland with a score of 2-1 (on a gem by Chris Young) and 6-3.

April 21, 2016 -

Tonight, I try to finish the sweep of Oakland. They are starting Scott Olsen. Erick Aybar has taken over for us at 3B after Jose kept making errors. I wonder if the kid will get another chance. Budde is getting the start in center again as Owens will DH.

Oakland's lineup:

LF Chadwick Lovallo
C Kurt Suzuki
3B Garrett Atkins
RF Jack Cust
DH Young-ho Chung
1B Lazaro Gomez
2B Jeff Baker
CF Titus Crudale (former Rookie of the year who had an off year last year.)
SS Paul Janish

Powerful wind blowing out to center today.


Aybar knocks in Alexei in the 2nd. 1-0 lead.

Cust crushes a 1-0 fastball to deep center to start the 2nd inning. That is career 297th homer.

Budde misplays a line drive by Gomez and it turns into a 1 out triple. Dunn misplays the next hit and it is a RBI triple for Baker. Budde with a good play in center to catch a shallow liner but Baker just beats the throw home. 3-1 after 2.

I start off the 3rd by striking out Chadwick with a 2-2 slider. I don't believe it, a 2 out single followed by a 2 run homer down the right field line by Cust! Down 5-1.

I strike out Janish looking with a 0-2 fastball on the corner to end the 4th.

Mike pulls me after 5 innings. We lose the game 7-1.

5 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 2 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 24, 2016 -

We win 2 of 3 at Cleveland! They are leading the division and that was a critical showing. We won 3-2 and 3-0 on another gem by Chris Young.

April 25, 2016 -

We beat the Orioles 9-8 at home to keep our win streak going. Aybar had a 3 run homer in the 6th that gave us the lead for good.


April 26, 2016 -

I'm starting at home against Baltimore tonight. We are 10-10 and only 2.5 games behind the Indians who lead the division. Baltimore is 9-11. Their offense is in the top 10 in most categories. Their pitching staff is in the bottom 5 in most categories.

CF Adam Jones
RF Nick Markakis - .281 with 4 HR's.
3B Lacey - .387 with 6 HR's.
C Saucedo
SS Flores
DH Murphy
2B Ruben Gotay
1B Josh Whitesell
LF Greg Golson

We are starting Budde in center again with Owens DH'ing. Aybar is starting at 3rd again. We have a very strong wind blowing in from center tonight. We are wearing throwback jerseys tonight.

Saucedo and Flores start off the 2nd with singles. Wow. Saucedo tries to steal 3rd and almost makes it, but Paulino gets him by a hair. Gotay hits into a 4-6-3 DP to end the inning.

Struck out Golson with a 2-2 splitter for the 1st out of the 3rd. Struck out Jone with a 2-2 inside fastball for the 2nd out. Markakis with a hard grounder past Whaley. That puts men on 1st and 3rd with 2 outs and Lacey up. Lacey grounds out to Alexei to end the inning. I've worked out of a few jams tonight already.

Saucedo hits a 0-2 splitter just past Aybar for a single to start the 4th. Paulino throws him out attempting to steal 2nd. I strike out Murphy with a 1-2 outside fastball to end the 4th.

We've been no-hit through 4.

Sheesh. Gotay hits a 1-2 outside fastball by stretching out with 1 hand and it slices down the left field line barely fair for a double ot start the 5th. Whitesell grounds to Whaley moving Gotay to 3rd. Whaley reaches over the dugout railing to catch a pop for the 2nd out! Alexei with a good play to end the inning.

Budde breaks up the no-hitter in the 6th, but we fail to score. Scoreless through 6.

Sheesh. I walk Flores on 4 pitches to start the 7th. Gotay gets a 1 out grounder past Whaley. Men on 1st and 2nd with Whitesell at the plate. He is hitting .168 this year but he has a single tonight.. he hits a 0-2 fastball hard, Cano dives to his left and snares the line drive! Cano handles a grounder to end the inning. Not my best night, but I continue to work out of jams.

We still only have 1 hit through 7 full innings.

I strike out Markakis with a 2-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 8th. 1-2-3 8th against the top of their order. The heart of our order is coming up..

YES! Quentin with a solo homer and then Budde knocks in Alexei. 2-0 lead. Mike lets me start the 9th...

Saucedo starts off the 9th with a double to left center. Mike goes to the pen.. who is going to close? He gives it to Jenks who is closing until Groniga is back. Come on Bobby!

Bobby allows the inherited run to score, but we win it 2-1. He gets his 6th save of the year and I get my 3rd win.

8 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 1, 2016 -

We finish the month with a 13-12 record but are in 4th place as the AL Central is doing well early. The Indians and Tigers are both 15-10. The Royals are 13-12 and the Twins are 10-15.


We are 26th in team batting average (.251), 13th in HR's (28), 25th in runs (103), last in SB's (10), last in walks (66), 23rd in strikeouts (148), last in .OBP (.306).

We are 13th in staff ERA (4.18), 3rd in blown saves (only 2), 5th in walks allowed (80), 4th in strikeouts (159 - I'm 4th as Volquez has 31, Young 27, and Danks 25.)


Despite my 2 very rocky starts, my stats for the first month aren't bad as I had 3 very high quality starts:

3-2, 3.34 ERA, 5 GS, 3 QS, 32.1 IP, 28 H, 14 R, 12 ER, 4 HR, 8 BB, 21 K, 1.11 WHIP, .243 vs RH, .216 vs LH.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 2, 2016 -

Tonight, I start against Justin Verlander and the Tigers at our place. This is game 1 of a 2 game series and a nice chance for us to gain ground on them.

3B Ian Stewart
2B Terrance Bumgarner
LF Mario Richar (.336 with 4 HR's.)
CF Curtis Granderson
RF Jason Kubel (hitting .301 with 5 HR's.)
DH Rosman Zapata
1B Conrad Clifton
SS Valentino Valentine
C Robinzon Diaz

We are going with an intresting lineup tonight that gives us our best defense in the outfield:

CF Owens
2B Cano
1B Whaley
LF Quentin
SS Ramirez
DH Budde
3B Aybar
C Ruiz
RF Gwynn

There is a strong wind blowing out to right.

I strike out Terrance with a 3-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 1st.

Porter Callahan robs of me of 2 calls and I have a leadoff walk to Granderson. I strike out Kubel with a 3-2 fastball after starting off 3-0 to him. I get the next batter to pop up to 3rd and the last one grounds out to Cano.

Valentine starts the 3rd with a double to left field. Gwynn with a very nice defensive play on a line drive by Diaz. He then makes a strong throw to keep the runner at 2nd. Stewart hits a 1-1 fastball into shallow left center for a RBI single.

Oh my!! Owens with a LONG run to the warning track in right center and jumps against the wall catching the ball hit by Granderson. Pumped up, I strike out Kubel on 3 pitches, the last being a low fastball. 1-2-3 4th.

Cano starts the 5th with a diving catch. Cano with an error that continues the 5th allowing Diaz to get on 1st. Stewart hits a 0-2 fastball weakly to left for the 3rd out.

In the 6th, they get Bumgarner on 3rd and Granderson on 1st with 1 out and Kubel at the plate. Ruiz throws out Granderson at 2nd on the steal attempt! Kubel flares a 3-1 slider into left field for a RBI single. Down 2-0. I strike out Zapata with a 2-2 change to end the inning.

Mike pulls me after 6 innings. We lose the game 3-0, very disappointing.

6 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 6, 2016 -

The Tigers swept us. At least, we bounced back by sweeping the Royals in a 2 game series. Then, we won tonight at Minnesota.


May 7, 2016 -

Tonight, I'm starting at Minnesota. They are going with Carlos Zambrano who is 3-1 with a 2.15 ERA. We are 16-14 (and 2 GB from the Indians.) They are 12-18. Their only truly dangerous offensive weapon is Morneau although Wiki Macias can be dangerous as well.

Their lineup:

CF Brett Gardner
3B Tory Miller
1B Morneau
RF Wiki Macias
DH Chris Iannetta
LF Oswaldo Urdaneta
C George Kottaras
SS Matt Tolbert
2B Ambiorix Betancourt

Jose Ferreira is getting another chance at 3B tonight. Gwynn is starting in LF for Quentin who is getting a night off.

Gardner draws a leadoff walk as a 3-2 slider barely misses the corner. Struck out Miller with a 1-2 fastball. Gardner steals 2nd. I'm going to be much more careful with Morneau now. Morneau hits a low 3-0 slider to short for the 2nd out but Gardner advances to 3rd. I strike out Macias with a 2-2 outside fastball to end the inning.

Owens with another great long running catch, this time right before the wall in center field to start the 2nd inning. Iannetta with a hard grounder past Jose for a single. Kottaras hits it hard at Cano who starts the 4-6-3 DP.

Jose with a throwing error in the 3rd. That puts Betancourt on 2nd with 1 out. Betancourt gets to 3rd on a fly to left field. Gwynn just couldn't get enough on the throw. Struck out Miller with a 2-2 splitter to end the 3rd.

Struck out Macias with high heat for the 2nd out of the 4th. That was a 99 MPH fastball. Gwynn with a very nice play in left on a line drive to end the 4th.

Tolbert with a 2 out double down the left field line in the 5th. Cano with a great over the shoulder catch in shallow right for the 3rd out.

Miller argues a call at 1st in the 6th and he gets ejected. That was the 2nd out of the 6th. Morneau fights off an inside fastball for a single to shallow center. I strike out Macias with a 3-2 change to end the inning. That was my 3rd K on him tonight.

Still scoreless in the bottom of the 7th as I take the mound. I strike out Iannetta with a 2-2 change to start the inning. I strike out Urdaneta with a 3-2 splitter to end the inning.

Tolbert starts off the 8th with a grounder that gets past Whaley for a single. NO! Mike pulls me after that. I had something left. At least he gives it to Devine who has been incredible so far. 2-0 record with 0.56 ERA in 11 innings.

Devine pitches a perfect 8th, but he gives up a homer in the 9th. We lose the game 1-0.

7 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 7 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 8, 2016 -

I'm starting to think I'm an offensive jinx. We beat the Twins 12-0 tonight as Danks pitches 7 scoreless innings.

May 10, 2016 -

We start an important series against the Tigers with a 8-4 win thanks to a grand slam in the 11th inning by Alexei who had 6 RBI's in the game.

May 11, 2016 -

Chris Young continues his impressive start. We win the game 8-0.

May 12, 2016 -

We lose 8-7 as Escobar has really struggled in the 5th spot this year. We are now 19-16 and just 2 games behind the Indians. Our offense is finally picking it up. Hopefully, that will continue tomorrow night for me.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 13, 2016 -

Tonight, I start against the Mariners at our place. I definitely have to watch out for Adrian Beltre. Carlos is hurt and Gwynn will start in left field tonight.

I leave a 1-0 change too high and Larry Gates hammers it for a solo homer in the 2nd inning.

In the 3rd, Carl Crawford hits a 1-1 slider down the right field line for a double putting men on 2nd and 3rd with no outs. Jose Lopez hits a 1-1 fastball to deep left for a sac fly. Giovanni Valquez fights off a first pitch fastball down the right field line, Whaley runs back and catches it over his shoulder for a spectacular catch! Beltre with a RBI single past Jose at third. I let a big sigh out as I get out of the inning. Rough start. Down 3-0 after 3 innings.

Chris Shelton starts off the 4th by hitting a perfectly located fastball into right field for a single. I strike out Huston Enfield with a 2-2 change for the 1st out of the 4th. I strike out Carl Crawford with an outside fastball for the 2nd out.

I strike out Vizquel with a 2-2 change to start the 5th. A slider hangs a bit and Beltre hits it to the right field wall, but Dunn catches it. I strike out Gates with a 0-2 outside fastball to end the inning.

We only have 2 hits through 5 innings. What happened to our rejuvenated offense?

I strike out Shelton with 3 straight fastballs for the 2nd out of the 6th. I strike out Enfield with a 2-2 slider to end the inning.

Depite being strong the last 3 innings, Mike pulls me after 6. We lose the game 4-2.

My record drops to 3-4. 6 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 6 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 19, 2016 -

The offense has been anemic the last 5 games but we have won 2 and lost 2. We are now 21-19 and 3 games back. Tonight, I start at home vs the Angels who lead their division with a 23-17 record.

Cotts with a nice job of hitting a well placed 1-2 fastball down the 1st base line for a leadoff single. Josh Hamilton steps to the plate. He hits a very hard grounder that bounces off Aybar's chest and is an infield single. Cabrera with a RBI single into left. Horrid start. Mike Napoli hits into a 5-4-3 DP. Carlos Lee hits a 3-2 change weakly to Cano for the 3rd out.

I stirke out Nelson Cruz with an inside fastball for the 2nd out of the 2nd. Strike out Cuddyer with a 2-2 change to end the inning.

Carlos Quentin with a solo homer in the 2nd. Tied at 1.

I strike out Cotts with a 1-2 inside fastball for the 1st out of the 3rd. Key play as they drew a leadoff walk. Hamilton moves the runner to 2nd with a slow dribbler in front of the plate. 2 outs. I pitch around Cabrera with the open base. NO! A hard grounder by Napoli must have hit a rock as it suddenly bounced over Alexei's head! RBI single. (Kind of cool to see this rarely - first time I've seen it in many hours of gameplay.) I jam Carlos Lee and he hits it weakly to Whaley for the last out.

I strike out Cruz with a 0-2 outside slider for the 2nd out of the 4th.

I strike out Josh with a 0-2 change to end the 5th.

I hit Cabrera to start the 6th, but comeback by striking out Napoli with a 0-2 outside slider. Delmon Chance with a 2 out double down the left field line. Men on 2nd and 3rd. Cruz is at the plate, I've struck him out twice. I shatter his bat with the first pitch but it is a dribbler that no one can get to in time. 3-1. Aybar with a good defensive play to end the inning. Come on offense...

We lose the game 3-1. Disappointing.

6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K. I'm now 3-5.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 23, 2016 -

A few big injuries have been noted by our team. While I feel bad about them, I can't help but think they will help our chances to win a division title:

Detroit - Jeremy Bonderman tore his rotator cuff and is done for the year.

Cleveland (currently leading the division) Starting 3B Bill Hall tore his ACL and backup 3B Jules Dugan dislocated his ankle and is probably done for the year.


Other notable injuries:

Ronny Cedeno, Rangers, tore his MCL.

2B Sean Rodriguez, Yankees, tore Achilles Tendon and is done for the year.

3B Pablo Bocachica, TB, tore his ACL.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 24, 2016 -

Tonight, I'm starting in Cleveland vs Brandon Morrow who is 0-4 with a 4.80 ERA.

Cleveland's Lineup:

RF Corey Hart
LF Armand Lorenz
CF Grady Siremore
DH Donald Davila
C Kelvin Dittfurth
SS Jhonny Peralta
3B Pablo Sandoval
1B Travis Hafner
2B Rob Schartner


Struck out Hart with a 1-2 fastball to start the game. 1-2-3 1st.

Gwynn with a 2 RBI double for us in the 2nd. 2-0 lead.

Struck out Davila with a 2-2 splitter to start the 2nd. 1-2-3 2nd.

Dunn with a solo homer in the 3rd. That is his 10th of the year. 3-0 lead.

Sandoval starts off the 3rd with a single by Aybar who is playing at 2nd today. Rob with a 1 out single. Men on 1st and 2nd. Hart grounds out to 1st, but we can't turn the 3-6-1. Lorenz bounces it back to me to end the inning.

Ramirez with a grand slam in the 4th! Owens also had a RBI. 8-0 lead.

Sizemore starts the 4th with a single up the middle. Davila hits a 1-0 fastball to left field for a no doubt 2 run homer. Dittfurth draws a walk and the pitching coach comes out to calm me down. Owens with a catch at the center field wall for the 1st out of the inning. Struck out Hafner with a 1-2 outside fastball to end the inning.

Struck out Hart with a 0-2 slider to start the 5th. Struck out Lorenz with a 0-2 fastball on the outside corner.

Struck out Dittfurth with a 1-2 fastball to start the 6th. After I give up 2 2 out walks, Rob gets his 3rd hit off me, a RBI double. Hart with a 2 RBI single up the middle. I can't believe that I gave up those walks to the bottom of the order and how badly they cost me. 8-5 at the end of 6.

Mike goes to the pen for the 7th. We win the game 9-5.

I'm now 4-5. 6 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 6 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 29, 2016 -

We've lost our first 3 games of this series vs Tampa Bay. I need to salvage this series slightly tonight.

Dunn with a 3 run homer in the 1st to give us a 3-0 lead.

Upton and Pena with 2 out singles and then Bay hits a 3 run homer off me. Tied at 3.

Whaley with a grand slam in the 4th inning. Quentin with a solo homer right behind him. 8-3 lead.

We bat around in the 5th, including a grand slam by Quentin! 13-3 lead.

They touch me for 2 more runs to start the 6th and Mike pulls me.

We win the game 15-6.

5-5 record. 5 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 B, 3 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 1, 2016 -

We are 27-26, 3.5 games behind the Indians.

We are 27th in batting average with a .263 avg despite Owens and Quentin each hitting over .300. We are 25th in runs scored with 234. We are 15th in homers with 56.

We are 7th in team ERA with a 3.80. We are 2nd in strikeouts with 338.

My statistics after 2 months:

5-5, 3.82 ERA, 11 GS, 7 QS, 68.1 IP, 67 H, 32 R, 29 ER, 7 HR, 17 BB, 53 K, 1.23 WHIP, .248 vs RH, .258 vs LH.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 3, 2016 -

Today we host the Oakland A's. They are 20-35. We've won the first 2 games of this series.

Owens with a beautiful long running diving catch for the 2nd out of the 1st!

Struck out Jeff Baker with a 3-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 2nd. Struck out Titus with a 2-2 low fastball to end the inning.

Both sides with no hits through 3.

Titus Crudale breaks up my no hitter with a single up the middle to start the 5th. A few seconds later, I pick him off. Struck out Parker Ensberg with some high heat for the 2nd out.

Aybar knocks in Ferreira in the 5th. 1-0 lead.

Jose airmails a throw into the stands. Garrett Atkins is on 2nd with 1 out and Cust at the plate as a result. Cust grounds to Whaley moving Atkins to 3rd. Ruiz lets a 2-1 change get away from him and the runner scores!

Whaley with a 2 run homer and Quentin with a solo shot in the 6th. 4-1 lead. That was the 12th homer for both of them.

With 2 outs and men on 1st and 2nd in the 7th, Suzuki comes to the plate, I get him to hit a weak grounder which Jose makes a good play on to end the inning.

1-2-3 8th.

Mike gives it to Joey Devine who gets his 3rd save of the year as we win it 4-1.

I'm now 6-5. 8 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 8, 2016 -

Our 9 game winning streak just came to an end. We are now 33-27 and only 1 game back behind the Indians. They are 4-6 in their last 10 while we are 9-1. The entire team is feeling good right now.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 9, 2016 -

Tonight I'm starting in Kansas City. They are starting Jon Bell who is 4-3 with a 5.94 ERA.

CF Coco Crisp
3B Alex Gordon
DH Billy Butler
C miguel Olivo
1B Ryan Shealy
LF Enrique Manley
RF Mark Teahen
SS Felipe Lopez
2B Tony Pena Jr.


Coco Crisp starts off the game with a 10 pitch at bat before he grounds out to Cano. Gordon with a 1st pitch liner to Jose for the 2nd out. Butler with a 2 out single up the middle. Olivo with a walk. Sigh. Ryan hits a 2-2 fastball just past Alexei's reach. RBI single. Enrique pops it up to end the inning.

Struck out Lopez with an outside 1-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 2nd.

Struck out Pena with a 0-2 slider to end the 4th.

Budde with a solo homer in the 5th. Tied at 1.

Budde with another solo homer in the 7th! 2-1 lead.

Owens covers a lot of ground for the 1st out of the 7th in left center. Cano throws the ball away and allows Teahan to get to 2nd. Mike pulls me after that and gives it to Groniga who is now setting up..

Groniga gives up the inherited run and 1 more on a homer by Crisp. We lose the game 3-2.

6.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 15, 2016 -

Tonight, I start the 2nd of a 3 game series at Pittsburgh. We are 35-30 (2 GB.) They are 34-33. I'm starting against Zach Duke who is 5-3 with a 4.91 ERA.

Their lineup:

RF Will Venable
3B Brian Goff
LF Ernesto Pedroza (hitting .320 with 16 HR's)
CF Brandon Moss
1B Zack Salazar
2B Ryan Raburn
SS Josh Barfield
C Nathaniel Grubbs
P Zach Duke

1-2-3 1st.

Quentin with a solo homer in the 3rd. 1-0.

Struck out Grubbs with a low 1-2 fastball to start the 3rd. 1-2-3 3rd.

Struck out Moss with a 0-2 outside fastball to end the 4th. 1-2-3 4th.

Struck out Barfield with a 3-2 slider to end the 5th.

I'm up in the 7th with bases loaded and 1 out. They have brought in a new pitcher, Chone Whitting.. He strikes me out with a 100 MPH fastball. Not so fun facing that. He had a nasty slider too. Still a 1-0 game as I take the mound in the bottom of the 7th.

Goff leads off the 7th with a single and Mike pulls me. I wish he had pinch hit for me if he was going to do that. He gives the ball to Kuo. Kuo gets us out of the 7th without any damage.

We win the game 3-0 and Bobby Jenks gets his 14th save on the year.

My record is now 7-5. 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 20, 2016 -

We've swept the Pirate and the Astros. We are currently on a 7 game winning streak. We are now 40-30 and 1 game back behind the Indians.

The Tigers have now lost Curtis Granderson for the year to a broken ankle.

My next game will be at home vs the Cardinals who are starting TJ North due to injuries to their normal starters. He is 0-1 with a 6.50 ERA. They are 33-36.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 21, 2016 -

The Cardinals Lineup:

2B Orlando Hudson
C Ryan Doumit
3B Tuan McGuire (hitting .344 with 19 HR's)
CF Rick Ankiel
RF Hunter Pence
SS Khalil Greene
LF Columbus Deleon
1B Casey Kotchman
DH Yadier Molina

Struck out Ankiel on a check swing that he couldn't stop at a 2-2 high fastball for the 1st out of the 2nd inning. Struck out Greene with a 2-2 outside slider to end the 2nd.

Paulino, Budde, and Owens with RBI's in the 2nd. 3-0 lead.

Struck out Kotchman with a 0-2 fastball away for the 2nd out of the 3rd.

Ankiel has the 1st hit of the game off me in the 4th, but I get Pence to pop out to 2nd to end the inning. Tonight, I've had the best control of my curve that I've ever had.

Owens with another RBI in the 4th. 4-0 lead.

Struck out Doumit with a 2-2 splitter for the 2nd out of the 6th.

Struck out Pence with a 0-2 slider to start the 7th. I feel like I'm still in complete control today, some of my best stuff of the year. 1-2-3 7th.

Struck out Molina with a 3-2 inside fastball for the 1st out of the 8th. Struck out Hudson looking at a 3-2 fastball that caught the inside corner.

I get the chance for the complete game, but I'm going to need to retire the heart of their order.

Struck out McGuire with a 1-2 slider to start the 9th. Struck out Ankiel looking at a 3-2 changeup that was across the outside corner. Pence grounds a 2-2 curve to Jose for the final out! Complete game shutout! My confidence is soaring now.

9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 26, 2016 -

We've won 8 of our last 10 and are now 43-32. We are in 1st place by a game over the Indians! Tonight I start on the road vs the Reds who are 35-39. Their offense is in the top 10 in most categories but their defense/pitching is in the bottom 5 in almost every category.

Their lineup:

LF Chris Dickerson
CF Tyson Cirillo
SS Hanley Ramirez
1B Joey Votto
2B Winfred Elam
3B Rocco Copley
RF Brian Anderson
C John Buck

Struck out Tyson with a 3-2 splitter for the 2nd out of the 1st.

Paulino with a RBI in the 2nd. 1-0 lead.

Struck out Anderson with a 3-2 change to end the 2nd.

Cano with a RBI in the 3rd. 2-0 lead.

Struck out Hanley with a 0-2 slider for the 2nd out of the 4th. Jose with a 2 out error allows Votto to get to 1st. Cano with a very good defensive play to dive, get up, and throw out Elam.

In the 5th, with 2 outs Buck hits a 0-0 fastball to deep left for a solo homer. 2-1. That is his 100th homer of his career. Jose with an error to allow the pitcher to get to 1st. A 0-1 fastball gets away and drills Dickerson in the back. Fortunately, I get Cirillo to bounce it back to me to end the inning.

Darn. Hanley starts off the 6th with a single, steals 2nd and then Votto fights off an inside fastball for a RBI double down the left field line. Tied at 2 and I still have a man at 2nd with 0 outs..

Elam grounds back to me, I look the runner back and throw out Elam. Copley grounds to Jose who looks back the runner and makes the throw for the 2nd out. Anderson's bat explodes on the first pitch and I make a good play to catch the little bloop that was going to land just fair on the first base line.

I start off the 7th with a grounder through the middle! Aybar knocks me in! 3-2 lead.

1-2-3 7th.

Struck out Ramirez with a 2-2 slider for the 2nd out of the 8th. 1-2-3 8th.

Mike pinch hits for me to start the 9th. We win the game 3-2.

Jenks gets his 18th save of the year. I get my 9th win!

8 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 1, 2016 -

We just swept the Mariners 3-1, 3-1, 3-2 as our pitching is really shining now. We are 47-32 and 2.5 games ahead of the Indians.

We are 26th in team batting average at .262. We are 26th in runs scored with 340. We are 9th in homers with 90. Whaley leads the team with 22. We are 29th in walks with 225.

Our staff leads MLB in ERA with a 3.34 team ERA. We are 2nd in Complete Games with 3. We are 4th in saves with 31. Jenks has 20 now. We are 5th in blown saves. Groniga has all 8 of them which is how he lost his closer role. We are 2nd in HR's allowed. Chris Young has only allowed 3 on the year. We are 5th in walks allowed. We are 4th in strikeouts with 487.


Chris Young leads our team with a 10-2 record and 2.01 ERA, but I'm not far behind him:

9-5, 2.73, 16 GS, 12 QS, 1 CG, 1 SO, 105.2 IP, 87 H, 37 R, 32 ER, 8 HR, 22 BB, 74 K, 1.03 WHIP, .223 vs RH, .213 vs LH. Our pen is absolutely amazing:

Joey Devine has a 0.36 ERA. Kuo with a 2.40 ERA. Groniga with a 1.05 ERA. He's doing great as our 8th inning guy. Jenks with 20 saves, 0 blown saves, and a 1.44 ERA.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 2, 2016 -

Tonight, I get the start in Detroit. Hopefully, I can continue this hot streak. We are wearing our throwback uniforms today.

Struck out Chone Figgins looking at a 2-2 backdoor slider to get the 1st out of the game. 1-2-3 1st.

Guy Harville hits a 2-1 fastball for a solo homer to left to start the 2nd. Down 1-0. After getting into 2 out trouble, I strike out Dicky Alvarez with a 2-2 slider to end the inning.

Chone Figgins starts the 3rd with a single and then a stolen base. I strike out Bumgarner with a 1-2 outside fastball for the 1st out of the inning. Figgins steals 3rd with Richar at the plate. Richar hits a dribbler to 3rd that scores the run. Down 2-0 after 3.

Kubel with an infield single to start the 4th. Kubel goes to 3rd on a 1 out single to left field. Clifton hits a hard grounder that gets by Alexei. I think that should have been a double play. Instead, it is a RBI single. Figgins with a 2 out RBI single into right field. I strike out Bumgarner with a slider to end the inning. There go my All-star chances I think. Down 4-0.

We are being no hit through 5 innings.

I allow a 2 out double to Kubel and a single to Zapata and Mike pulls me in the bottom of the 5th. These throw back uniforms are horrible luck for me.

We actually come back and take the lead in the 8th inning, but Groniga gives up a 3 run homer. We lose the game 8-6.

4.2 IP, 9 H, 5 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 8, 2016 -

We are now 49-36 and tied with the Indians for the division lead. Tonight, I start at home vs the Twins. They are 35-51. Owens is injured and we are starting a rookie in center, Terrell Kelsey. He doesn't seem to have much range :(

Their lineup:

LF Brett Hardner
DH Tory Miller
C Jamison Gary
1B Justin Morneau (hitting .284 with 14 HR's)
3B Chris Iannetta
CF Jason Pridie
SS Juan Uribe
2B Matt Tolbert
RF Hector Luna

Struck out Gary with a 2-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the inning. Struck out Morneau with a 0-2 outside fastball to end the inning.

Struck out Juan Uribe with a 3-2 change to end the 2nd.

Struck out Miller with a 2-2 low fastball to end the 3rd.

Dunn with a solo homer in the 4th. That was his 19th of the year. 1-0 lead.

Struck out Tolbert with a 1-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out of the 5th.

Alexei knocks in Paulino in the 5th. 2-0 lead.

Bad start to the 6th as I walk Miller and then Gary hits a single down the left field line that advances Miller to 3rd. Morneau up with 0 outs.. he fights off a 1-2 inside fastball and it barely lands inches fair for a RBI double down the left field line. Dunn catches a ball in shallow right for the 1st out. Then, Pridie hit it to shallow right, Dunn dove, and had it bounce off his glove. RBI single. Tied game at 2. Uribe with a ground out to 3rd that gets another run in as we fail to turn the double play. I get Tolbert to ground to 1st to end the inning. Down 3-2.

Mike pulls me after 6 innings.

It all went so well until that 6th inning, but that inning cost me the win. We did tie it in the 6th. Kuo gave up 2 runs in the 7th and Jenks gave up 2 more in the 8th. We lose the game 8-4.


6 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 11, 2016 -

I thought those last 2 starts would cost me this opportunity, but I've been selected to the AL All-Star team! I was one of 5 starting pitches selected:

My teammate Chris Young was voted the starter: 10-2, 2.16 ERA, 89 K.

Rocky Murrant, Yankees, 11-2, 3.13 ERA, 31 K.

Joba Chamberlain 9-5, 3.34 ERA, 128 K.

Me 9-5, 3.09 ERA, 83 K.

Armando Galarraga, Tigers, 9-5, 3.31 ERA, 63 K.

Joey Devine was selected a reliever. He has a 4-1 record, 3 saves, 45 K, and a 0.66 ERA.

Bobby Jenks was selected as a closer. He has a 1-0 record, 20 saves, 34 K, and a 1.95 ERA.

Alexei Ramirez was selected at SS. He is hitting .281 with 12 HR's and 43 RBI.

The All-Star game is at Fenway Park this year. I hope I get in the game..

[Eaglesfan27]

July 12, 2016 -

I'm so exicted to be getting into the game. I've been told that I will pitch the 3rd inning at least. We are up 2-0.

Chris Young pitched 2 hitless innings and I feel the pressure to match him.

1st up is Marcus Grbavac. He hits my first pitch right back up the middle for a single. Next up is Jeramy Booker. He is hitting .315 with 17 HR's. I get him to pop to right for the 1st out. Next up is Hanley Ramirez. Saucedo throws out Grbavac on a steal attempt. I get him to ground a 3-2 change to 3rd for the out. I wish I had gotten a strikeout or 2, but it was still thrilling to throw a scoreless inning in my 1st All-star appearance.

The AL wins the game 3-2 in 11 innings.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 17, 2016 -

The bad news is that we lost our last 3 games before the All-Star break and now we have lost our first 3 games after the break. We are now in 2nd place and 3 GB behind the Indians. Tonight, I start on the road vs the Orioles.

Whaley suffered an injury in the 1st. Hopefully, it isn't serious :(

Before he was hurt, he hit a 2 RBI double. We are up 3-0 as I take the mound for the first time.

Terrell just misses a diving catch in center field and Adam Jones starts off the game with a double. Markakis with a RBI single to left. Lacey with a single up the middle that moves Markakis to 3rd. What a horrid start. Saucedo hits a grounder to 2nd that scores another run and then he beats out the DP. Greg Golson hits into a 4-6-3 DP to end the inning. Up 3-2. I need to pitch much better the rest of the way.

1-2-3 2nd.

I strike out Whitesell on 3 straight fastballs to start the 3rd. I strike out Jones looking at a 1-2 fastball on the outside corner. 1-2-3 3rd.

Budde with a solo homer in the 4th to make it 4-2 lead.

Struck out Saucedo with a 2-2 fastball to start the 4th.

Quentin with 2 RBI's in the 5th. 6-2 lead.

Whitesell strikes out on a 2-2 change to start the 6th. Adam Jones with an infield single, he steals 2nd, takes 3rd on a groundout by Markakis and then scores on an error by Aybar at 3rd. Dunn with a nice play in right to end the inning on a deep fly ball by Lacey.

1-2-3 7th.

We make the lead 7-3 in the 8th.

Ruben Gotay strikes out looking at a 0-2 slider to start the 8th. 1-2-3 8th.

Devine pitches a perfect 9th. We win the game 7-3 and I get my 10th win of the year.

8 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 18, 2016 -

NO! Whaley tore his ACL and is done for the year. :(

Owens has suffered a dislocated shoulder and is also done for the year hence the rookie playing in center.

Last week, Jose suffered a broken bone in his hand and is out for about 2 months.

Wandy Segovia, our natural backup 3B has broken a bone in his leg and is done for the year.


The only good news is that Mike assures the club that the staff is working hard to try to trade for some pieces for a playoff push..

The club is saying that Radhames Coco, who will be our replacement 1B is a young power hitter with real plate discipline issues. He strikes out a lot and really isn't ready for The Show yet. He is also horrible defensively while Whaley was above average.

Meanwhile, I've seen enough of Terrell Kelsey to form my opinion on him. He isn't ready yet. He is a decent contact hitter with no power or speed. He is bad in center field. It's a miracle he is hitting .270 right now as he is never beating out an infield single. I wish that Mike would start Gwynn in center instead.

[Sun Tzu]

Grats on making the AS team.

[mrkilla22]

Congrats! What's your team's current record now?

[Eaglesfan27]

Congrats! What's your team's current record now?


I'll have to double check in a day or two when I can get on the game again, but I believe we are 50-42.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 22, 2016 -

We are 53-42 and today I'm pitching at home as we take on the Royals who are 48-50. Gwynn is starting in center field today!

Terrible start to the came. First, Coco Crisp with a first pitch to left field for a single. Then, Fidel Collazo hits a 2-0 change to deep left field for a homer. Bounced back by striking out Billy Butler with a 3-2 fastball. Struck out Olivo with a 3-2 fastball as well. Struck out Alex Gordon with an outside 0-2 fastball to end the inning.

We bounce back as Gywnn and Cano start the game with singles before Alexei hits a 2 RBI double. Quentin knocks him in to make it 3-2.

Struck out Shealy with a 1-2 slider to start the 2nd inning. 4 strikeouts in a row. Struck out Manley on 3 straight fastballs. A batter finally hits one of my pitches, but he hits the 1-2 slider weakly back to me for the 3rd out of the 2nd.

Big 2nd inning as Budde hits a 2 RBI double and Ramirez hits another 2 RBI double, again scoring both Gwynn and Cano. 7-2 lead.

Alexei with a throwing error to allow a leadoff runner in the 3rd. Coco draws a walk to put men on 1st and 2nd with no outs. Fidel pops it to shallow right, Coco runs back there. Makes a good catch and then the runner tests his weak arm and beats it to 3rd. On the weak throw, Coco Crisp takes 2nd. I get Butler to pop up to Aybar at 3rd for the 2nd out. Olivo grounds out to 1st to end the inning.

Struck out Gordon with a 3-2 slider to start the 4th. Struck out Manley with a 2-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out of the 4th after allowing Shealy to get a single.

Cano with an error in the 5th that puts Crisp on 1st with 1 out. Collazo hits a 3-2 change just out of Aybar's reach for a single. I've owned Butler and that continues as I strike him out with an outside 0-2 slider. Olivo grounds to Cano to end the inning.

I strike out Gordon with a 2-2 outside fsatball to start the 6th. 1-2-3 6th.

Gwynn with a nice play in center for the 1st out of the 7th. Fairley with a 1 out double in the 7th. Crisp bounces it back to me for the 2nd out. Collazo hits my first pitch for an RBI double. I spoke too soon about Butler, I think he just got his first career RBI against me. He hit it to center for a RBI single. I comeback to strike out Olivo with a low 1-2 fastball. That was my 10th strikeout of the night.

Mike turns it over to the pen for the 8th inning. Kuo gives up 1 in the 8th, but Groniga pitches a perfect 9th for his 5th save of the year. 8-5 win.

Gwynn was the player of the game as he went 3 of 5 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBI, 1 double, and 2 SB's. Hopefully, Mike will be smart and play him more.

I get my 11th win of the year. 7 IP, 7 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 10 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 28, 2016 -

We are hanging in there and by all accounts our team is trying hard to make a trade to get us some help. It's just a matter of if they have the right pieces to get an impact player. We are 56-44 and 5.5 games behind the Indians who have been torrid lately since they got Pablo Sandoval off the DL. He's been hitting .293 for them 12 homers. Their entire lineup is hitting very well right now, especially Sizemore who is batting .333 with 27 HR's and 76 RBI's. As a result, the Indians are 5th in team batting average, 1st in runs scored with 586 (Sizemore has 85.) 3rd in doubles, 3rd in triples, and 9th in homers. Their pitching staff is in the 15th-20th range in most categories.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 29, 2016 -

Tonight, I get the start against the Twins at their place.

Dunn with a solo homer and Paulino knocks in Quentin for a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning.

Struck out Alexi Casilla with a 1-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out of the 2nd inning. Ramirez with a 2 out error puts Jason Pridie on 1st. Aybar with a good defensive play, but he throws it away for a 2nd error this inning. Men on 2nd and 3rd with 2 outs. Juan Uribe at the plate.. I get him to pop up a 2-1 slider to end the inning.

Quentin knocks in Ramirez in the 3rd. 3-0 lead.

Struck out Pridie with a 100 MPH outside 0-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 4th. That was my 100th of the year.

Trouble in the 5th as Morneau draws a 1 out walk, Gary hits a single, and then Wiki Macias hits a RBI double to center field. Iannetta with a ground to short to drive in another run. 3-2 with 2 outs. Casilla hits a 3-2 fastball into center for a RBI single. Darn. I finally get a strikeout with a 0-2 slider against Pridie to end the inning.

My teammates pick me up in the top of the 6th with 2 RBI's by Cano and another by Ramirez. 6-3 lead.

1-2-3 6th.

I get Macias to hit into a 5-4-3 DP by using a hard splitter to end the 7th.

We win the game 6-5 as Kuo gives up 2 in the 8th but Groniga pitches a perfect 9th for his 7th save. I get my 12th win of the year.

7 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 3, 2016 -

We won 3 in a row, but I think the guys were just a bit demoralized when the trade deadline went by with no movement. We lost our next 3 games. We are now 59-46 as we host the Rays who are 47-59.

They are suffering since they lost Longoria. I'm glad to see Gwynn back in center today.

Struck out Darnell Buscher with a 0-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out of the 1st. 1-2-3 1st.

Struck out Pena with a 2-2 slider to start the 2nd. Struck out Matt Joyce looking with a 1-2 slider on the corner.

Paulino knocked in Coco to give us a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 3rd.

Struck out Pena with a 2-2 outside fastball for the 1st out of the 4th. Cano with a great play on a hard grounder by Joyce to start a 4-6-3 DP to end the inning.

Struck out their young hitter, Lott, with a 1-2 slider to get the 1st out of the 6th after allowing a leadoff single.

Pena draws a leadoff walk to start the 7th. That 3-2 fastball barely missed the corner. Mike decides to pull me after allowing that walk. Jenks comes in and pitches a perfect 7th and 8th inning. Groniga pitches a perfect 9th and we get the 1-0 win! I get my 13th win.

6 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 3, 2016 -

I really couldn't have asked for too much more out of the first 4 months of this critical season. Of course, I'm completely committed to the White Sox, but I can't help but think how attractive this is going to look to the various FA pursuers:

13-5, 3.06 ERA, 22 GS, 16 QS, 1 CG, 1 SO, 144.1 IP, 125 H, 55 R, 49 ER, 10 HR, 29 BB, 106 K, 1.07 WHIP (Leads AL), .241 vs RH, .211 vs LH.

While I'm focused on my current year, I've thought a bit about what I want in a team and who I think will meet that criteria:

1) The ability to win due to either outstanding defense, great run support, or both. Teams who I think may meet this criteria include:

The Indians (#1 in runs scored, great defense up the middle led by Sizemore.)

The Yankees (#1 in Batting average led by Teixeira, Brandon Phillips, and Chase Utley.)

The Red Sox (Top 5 in most offensive categories led by Jacoby Ellsbury who also provides excellent defense.)

The Angels (In the top 10 in most offensive categories and defensively solid at most positions.)

The Phillies (Offense is bad but their defense is good at most positions.)

2) Money - Being willing to offer it to me and just as importantly to other players to keep talent around me.

- The Yankees are spending by far the most money. They have 2 of the few 20 million dollar guys in Jose Reyes and Mark Teixeira. They almost certainly will reload as their older guys (and they have quite a few right now) age and retire.

- The Red Sox have 11 guys making over 10 million including 4 starting pitchers, Jacoby Ellsbury, Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia. Only the Yankees outspend them and I know they will do what it takes to restock as talent ages.

- The Phillies have spent a ton of money on a few starts, but are going cheap outside of their top 6 or so guys. They are right about 100 million.

- The Angels have consistently been spending 140-150 million on their roster.

- The White Sox have spent most of their money on pitching, but they are spending a lot of money this year.

- The Dodgers aren't going too cheap at many positions. They are spending over 100 million.

3) Home Town Preference:

Phillies were always my team growing up. That being said, I think the top 4 teams for me are the Red Sox, Angels, Yankees, and then Philly. I also like Cleveland and the White Sox. Of course, that could change in the next few months if we pull together as a team and do something special in the playoffs.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 8, 2016 -

We are 61-49, 4.5 games behind the Indians. Tonight, I'm starting at Toronto against a pitcher who has a 5.53 ERA and is 5-8.

We take a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st as Alexei knocks in Cano.

Struck out Teddy Nash to begin the game with a 0-2 outside fastball. 1-2-3 1st.

Alexei with a throwing error to start the 2nd, but Coco gets the ball quickly as it bounces off the wall and throws it to Alexei for the out at 2nd. Vernon Wells hits a 2 out high 0-2 fastball to deep center and it barely stays in the park as it bounces off the top of the wall for a double. Struck out Harry Wise with a 1-2 fastball to end the inning.

Struck out Nash again to end the 3rd.

Quentin with a solo homer in the 4th to make it 2-0.

Struck out Tovar with 1-2 fastball to begin the 4th. 1-2-3 4th. Only 1 hit allowed so far.

Struck out Vernon Wells with a 3-2 slider for the 2nd out of the 5th. 1-2-3 5th.

Octavio Arias starts the 6th with a single that just gets by a diving Aybar at 3rd. He steals 2nd. He goes to 3rd on a fly to center. Nash draws a walk. At least, I get the double play set up. Nash steals 2nd on a 2-0 fastball. I strike Tovar out with a 3-2 slider to get the 2nd out. Edgardo Urban hits a soft comeback at me and I make the throw to 1st to end the inning.

Emilio Alcantara starts off the 7th with a single to shallow center. Wells with a 1 out single to left. Men on 1st and 2nd. Mike goes to the pen as a result. He brings in Bobby. Come on Jenks! Jenks pitches a scoreless 7th and 8th. Groniga pitches a perfect 9th for his 11th save. We win the game 2-0. I get my 14th win.

6.1 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 13, 2016 -

We won 3 of 4 vs Toronto, but we just dropped the 1st game to Cleveland at home. I'm starting the 2nd game of this 3 game series. We are 64-51 and 6 game behind the Indians. This is a must win game I think. Terrell is starting in center for us tonight :(

Cleveland's Lineup:

RF Corey Hart
LF Armand Lorenz - hitting .310 with 10 HR's
CF Grady Sizemore - .322 with 28 HR's 85 RBI's
1B Travis Hafner - .296 with 17 HR's
C Kelvin Dittfurth
SS Jhonny Peralta
DH Justin Norwood
2B Cedrick McMullen
3B Gaston Dias

Struck out Lorenz with a 2-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out of the 1st. 1-2-3 1st.

After Hafner leads off the 2nd with a single, Dittfurth hits a bullet to Coco at 1st who makes the catch and tags the bag for the unassisted double play!

Coco with a RBI double in the 3rd and then Aybar knocks him in. 2-0 lead after 3.

Struck out Sizemore with high heat for the 2nd out of the 4th. Struck out Dittfurth with a 2-2 fastball to end the inning.

Struck out Peralta with a 3-2 fastball to begin the 5th.

1 hit allowed through 6 in one of my more dominating performances of my career. I spoke too soon as I give up 2 singles in the 7th including a 2 out single that has men on 1st and 3rd. Mike pulls me after that. I hold my breath as he brings in Kuo..

Kuo gets the one left handed batter, Devine pitches a 3 strikeout 8th! Groniga pitches a perfect 9th for his 13th save. I tie my career high with my 15th win!

I now have over 19 consecutive scoreless innings.

6.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

August 19, 2016 -

We are 67-53 and continue to be 6 games behind the Indians and we are 3 games behind the Red Sox for the Wild Card. Tonight, I'm pitching on the road while wearing another throwback that I've never worn before. Seattle is also wearing throwback jerseys tonight from their Pilot days.

I wonder if the curse of the throwback is going to continue to hurt me as I get robbed on 2 calls and walk Carl Crawford on 4 straight balls. Jose Lopez laces the ball to right center for a single that puts Crawford on 3rd. I strike out Giovanni Visquel on a 1-2 fastball for the 1st out. Lopez steals 2nd. I walk Adrian Beltre to set up the force/double play opportunity. Larry Gates grounds into a 5-4-3 DP to end the inning!

Struck out Chris Shelton with a 1-2 slider for the 2nd out in the 2nd inning.

Struck out Huston Enfield with the high heat for the first out of the 3rd.

With 2 outs in the 4th, Larry Gates catches a 2 out 3-2 fastball that drifted over the plate and hits it to left field for a solo homer. Down 1-0. Monty Brantley hits it down the line and Gwynn misses a diving catch, but he recovers gets the ball at the wall, hits the cutoff man, who guns down Brantley going for third to end the inning.

Cano knocks in Ruiz to tie it at 1 in the 5th.

Gwynn with a great running catch in foul territory for the 1st out of the 5th.

Ruiz with a 2 RBI double and Gwynn knocks him in to make it 4-1 in the 6th.

I strike out Gates with a 2-2 slider for the 2nd out of the 6th.

Chris Shelton hits the first pitch of the 7th, a curve, down the left field line and off the pole for a homer. 4-2. I come back and strike out Alcides Escobar with a 2-2 fastball. The next hitter, Enfield, hits a 0-1 fastball to left field for a homer. I strike out Jose Lopez with a 1-2 fastball to end the 7th.

Mike goes to the pen for the 8th inning. Jenks pitches a perfect 8th and Groniga pitches a perfect 9th. We win the game 4-3. Groniga gets his 15th save. I get my career high 16th win!

7 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 24, 2016 -

Today, I start at Oakland vs Rick Vandenhurk who is 4-12 with a 6.63 ERA. We are 70-55 which is 5 games behind Cleveland and 3.5 behind the Red Sox for the Wild Card. The A's are 46-80.

After allowing a leadoff single by Titus Crudale, I strike out Kurt Suzuki with a 2-2 inside fastball. After another single, I get Jack Cust to hit into a 5-4-3 DP to end the 1st.

With men on 1st and 2nd and 1 out, I manage to strike out Lawrence Madison with a 1-2 fastball. After hitting a batter to load the bases with 2 outs, I strike out Titus Crudale with a 2-2 high inside slider.

Gwynn with a nice play in center to start the 3rd. Struck out Lazaro Gomez with a 2-2 fastball to end the 3rd.

Coco with a 3 run homer in the 4th! 3-0 lead.

Struck out Macier Izturis with a 2-2 fastball to start the 4th. Struck out Parker Ensberg with a 0-2 outside slider to end the 4th.

After getting hitting hard in the first 2 innings, I've pitched a perfect 3rd, 4th and 5th.

My velocity is dropping a bit in the 6th. I give up a 2 out single to Izturis. Jeff Baker catches a hanging 1-2 slider and it is a homer to left. I walk Madson as a 3-2 fastball misses just outside. Mike pulls me after that. I'm glad to see Jenks coming into the game.

Jenks gets out of the 6th with no problem, but Mike leaves him in too long and he gives up the tying run in the 8th. We lose it 5-3 in the 11th.

5.2 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 30, 2016 -

Yes!! My teammates just won 3 of 4 vs Boston! We are now 73-57 and 5.5 behind Cleveland but only 1.5 behind Boston for the Wild Card. Tonight, I get the start against Carlos Zambrano and the Twins. He is 8-9 with a 3.15 ERA.

Cano with a solo homer in the 1st. 1-0 lead.

Wow, Gwynn with a long running diving catch in foul territory for the 2nd out of the 2nd with men on 1st and 2nd. I strike out Uribe with a 2-2 fastball to end the inning.

Coco with a solo homer in the 2nd. 2-0 lead.

Struck out Morneau with a 2-2 slider to end the 3rd.

Budde knocks in Alexei to make it 3-0 after 3.

Struck out Iannetta with a 2-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 4th. Struck out Casilla with a 3-2 fastball to end the 4th.

Jason Pridie argues a call at 1st to start the 5th and he is ejected. Struck out Uribe with a 1-2 splitter.

Dunn knocks in Cano in the 5th. 4-0 lead.

Struck out Morneau with an outside 0-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 6th. Terrell Kelsey with a solid play in center to end the 6th.

Cano with a 2 RBI double in the 6th to make it 6-0.

I give up two singles to start the 7th. Men on 1st and 3rd with 0 outs. Casilla with a deep fly to right for the sac fly. Hector Luna also flies out to Dunn. Uribe with a single to right. Tolbert grounds a slider to Cano to end the inning. 6-1 lead midway through the 7th.

Bad location on my fastball to Morneau and he drives it into right center for a 1 out double in the 8th. A 1-2 splitter gets passed Paulino allowing Morneau to get to 3rd. Gary hits it to Alexei to drive in Morneau but he is out. Macias grounds out to 1st to end the inning. 6 great innings and 2 decent ones. Mike turns to the pen in the 9th as my arm is really tired.

I get my 17th win of the year. 6-2 win. Devine pitched a scoreless 9th. I do have to strongly consider the strength of the bullpen and that does make this team very attractive..

8 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 2, 2016 -

I feel great about this season. There is some talk from the experts that I have a real shot at the Cy Young:

17-5, 2.83 ERA, 27 GS, 20 QS, 1 CG, 1 SO, 178 IP, 153 H, 62 R, 56 ER, 14 HR, 37 BB, 134 K, 1.07 WHIP, .245 vs RH, .207 vs LH.


Sep 3, 2016 -

We've just lost the 1st 2 games of a 3 game series against Boston :(

We are now 76-59. We are 5 games behind the Indians and 3.5 games behind the Red Sox. I start the final game of the series vs them tomorrow. We also have 2 critical series against Cleveland this month.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 4, 2016 -

Tonight, I'm starting in Boston in one of my most important starts of my career. I need to win this to get us back within 2.5 games. We are wearing throwback uniforms again tonight, but I feel like I've finally broken that jinx.

Carlos Quentin with a 2 run homer to start the game! Welcome back, Carlos! That is his 23rd of the year.

To start the game, Jacoby hits a 3-2 fastball hard towards 3rd, but Jose with a diving stop and a great throw from his knees! That was very unexpected. It looks like his defense improved some during his time back in the minors. Felix Pinada drives it to center for the 2nd out of the inning. Pedroia draws a walk with 2 outs. Paul Konerko grounds out to Cano to end the inning.

Coco with a solo homer in the 2nd. That is his 10th of the year. 3-0 lead.

Justin Upton weakly grounds a 0-2 slider to 3rd for the 1st out. Conor Gillaspie with a hard grounder that is just out of Cano's reach. Dioner Navarro hits a soft comeback at me. I throw it to 2nd, but we can't quite turn the double play. 2 outs with Dioner at 1st. Brian Roberts with a single to right but Gwynn guns down Navarro going for 3rd to end the inning.

Mohamed Fowler weakly pops up a 1-2 slider for the 1st out of the 3rd. Jacoby flies out to left. Pinada grounds out to Alexei.

Gwynn with a RBI double in the 4th and then Quentin knocks him in. 5-0 lead.

Pedroia flies out to Quentin for the 1st out of the 4th. Struck out Konerko with an inside 2-2 fastball. A fastball gets away from me and drills Upton. Conor grounds out to short to end the inning.

Navarro flies out to Gwynn for the 1st out of the 5th. Roberts strikes out chasing a 1-2 outside fastball for the 2nd out. Fowler pops up to 1st to end the inning.

Jacoby with an infield single to start the 6th. Alexei with an error on a hard grounder by Pinada, should have been a double play. Pedroia laces a 0-1 slider into left center for a RBI single. 5-1. Konerko beats out the 5-4-3 DP thanks to a hard slide at 2nd. Upton hits it hard, but Cano with a great play to start the 4-6-3 DP to end the inning

Conor grounds out to 1st to start the 7th. Navarro bounces it back to me for the 2nd out. Roberts flies out to the warning track but Quentin catches up to it.

Mike turns to the pen to start the 8th. Kuo allows 1 in the 8th and Groniga allows 1 in the 9th but we win it 5-4. He gets his 23rd save and I get my 18th win.

7 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 8, 2016 -

We just finished losing 2 of 3 at Cleveland. At least Chris Young got us the 1 win. He is also being mentioned as a Cy Young candidate. He is 17-5 with a 2.75 ERA and 133 K.


Sep 10, 2016 -

We are now 79-61 and still 5.5 games behind the Indians. We are 2.5 behind the Red Sox. Tonight, I'm starting at home vs the Yankees. They are 94-47 as their offense is on pace to break 850 runs this year. They have so many dangerous hitters byut Teixeira has been the most dangerous this year. He is hitting .324 with 36 HR's and 115 RBI's. They have 7 starters with over 20 homers. That is made even worse by a strong wind blowing out to right-center tonight.


Reyes with an infield single to 3rd to start the game. Reyes steals 2nd despite a pitch out! I strike out Utley with an outside 1-2 fastball. I intentionally walk Mark. Orlando Figueroa drives it into left center where Gwynn misplays it. 2 RBI double. I strike out Chase Headley with a 0-2 splitter. Vlad pops a very high fastball to shallow center for the 3rd out.

Rico Estrada with a single up the middle to start the 2nd. Brandon Phillips grounds into a 6-4-3 DP. Melky Cabrera flies out to Gwynn in left to end the inning.

Reyes hits a line drive into right field, Dunn dives, barely misses it. Reyes with a triple. Utley grounds it hard to 1st for the 1st out. Reyes doesn't risk it. I intentionally walk Mark again to set up the double play again. It doesn't work again as Orlando Figueroa continues his hot hitting, lacing a double into right for a RBI. Men at 2nd and 3rd. Headley with a RBI single into right. Vlad hits into a 5-4-3 DP to end the inning. Down 4-0.

Rico Estrada singles into right off a 0-2 slider. They have so many good hitters. It's no wonder they are leading the league in batting average. Brandon Phillips hits a 0-2 splitter hard to short for a 6-4-3 DP. Cabrera grounds out to Cano to end the inning.

Burnitz (who is starting at 3rd today) with a solo homer for us. 4-1 after 4 innings.

Cano with a great defensive play to get out Reyes to start the 5th. Utley grounds out to Cano. Struck out Mark with a 2-2 inside fastball to end the inning.

Struck out Figueroa with a 0-2 slider to start the 6th. Headley draws a walk. Struck out Vlad with a 2-2 slider. Rico with a single to left. Mike decides to pull me. He brings in Kuo.. sigh. As expected, Kuo allows both inherited runs to score despite the 2 outs. We lose the game 9-1.

I drop to 18-6.

5.2 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 3 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 14, 2016 -

We are on a back breaking 5 game losing streak as the Yankees win 3 of 4 against us and then Cleveland wins the first 2 of our 3 game series. We are now 79-66 and Cleveland has almost clinched the division with a 89-56 record. Furthermore, the Wild Card is looking like a long shot now as the Red Sox are 6.5 games ahead of us.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 15, 2016 -

It is absolutely critical that I pitch great today against the Indians if we are going to keep any small chance of playoff hopes alive.

Struck out Peralta with a 2-2 slider to end the 2nd inning.

Ruiz knocked in Budde in the 2nd inning. 1-0 lead.

Struck out Pablo Sandoval with an outside 2-2 fastball to start the 3rd. Hafner with their 1st hit of the game in the 3rd. With 2 outs, I throw the ball over Coco's head and put Corey Hart on 2nd and Sandoval on 3rd. Lorenz hits another come back to me and this time I just lob it underhand to 1st for the 3rd out.

Terrell with a nice play in center for the 1st out of the 5th.

Quentin with a 2 run homer in the 5th. 3-0 lead.

Ruiz gets hit with a foul ball in the scrotum in the 6th (amazing all of the little details this game has.) He takes a minute or two to recover. Struck out Corey Hart with a 3-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 6th. Struck out Lorenz with a 3-2 fastball to end the inning.

Dunn with a solo homer in the 6th. That is his 30th of the year. 4-0 lead.

Struck out Sizemore with a 1-2 fastball to start the 7th. Dittfurth with a 2 out single in the 7th. Only the 2nd hit I've given up today. Peralta grounds out off a slider to end the inning. I've had great command of my fastball, slider, and change today.

Cano with an error to start the 8th. He just didn't get down on the ball. Struck out Cabrera with a 3-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the inning. A 2 out wild pitch (a slider) lets Sandoval advance to 2nd. I pop up Hart to end the inning.

4 run 8th as Cano, Quentin, Dunn, and Kelsey all score. With a 8-0 lead, I get a chance to go for the complete game.

Terrell Kelsey catches Lorenz's fly to center. I strike out Sizemore with a 2-2 fastball. I strike out Davilla with a 2-2 slider to end the game!

A complete game 2 hit shutout win! That is win number 19.

9 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 21, 2016 -

We are now 82-68 and very close to being mathematically out of the playoffs. We are 8.5 GB from the Indians with 12 to play. We are 4.5 back from the Red Sox. It is going to take a miracle as they are healthy and playing well. We went 2-2 in the last 4 starts since my shutout. Tonight, I get a chance to get win #20 and possibly clinch the Cy Young. I'm the clear leading candidate now. I'll go for #20 in Minnesota.

Struck out Casilla with a 1-2 splitter for the 1st out of the 3rd. Struck out Uribe with a 2-2 splitter. With men on 1st and 3rd, I strike out Morneau with a 2-2 slider.

Macias draws a 1 out walk in the 4th. With 2 outs, he is gunned down by Paulino on an attempt to steal 2nd.

Men on 1st and 2nd with 1 out in the 5th. Juan Uribe is at the plate. A 3-2 splitter misses low to load the bases. Pridie hits it to center for the sac fly. Morneau flies out to Dunn to end the inning. Down 1-0 after 5 innings.

Trouble in the 6th as Gary and Macias start off the inning with singles. Men on 1st and 3rd with no outs. Critical strikeout of Iannetta with an inside 1-2 fastball. Pedro Silva barely beats out the 4-6-3 DP to score the run. 2 outs and Silva on 1st. Down 2-0 after 6 innings.

Mike pulls me after that. We lose the game 11-1 as our bullpen gives up 7 in the 8th inning. We used Pulido, a young kid, and he was absolutely rocked. My record drops to 19-7.

6 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 26, 2016 -

We are now 83-72. The Indians are 96-60 and have clinched the division. We are 4 games behind the Red Sox for the Wild Card with 7 games to go. Tonight, I go for win number 20 at home against Detroit.

Chone Figgins starts the game with a single just out of Alexei's reach. I pick him off! I strike out Santana with a 1-2 slider for the 2nd out. I strike out Kubel with a 2-2 fastball to end the inning.

Harville hits a 2 run homer off me in the 2nd. I bounce back and strike out Zapata with a 2-2 splitter.

Coco with a 3 run homer in the 2nd to give me back the lead!

They tie it in the 3rd on a RBI by Clifton, their young 1st baseman. I strike out Diaz with a 1-2 slider.

We take a 5-3 lead in the 6th off a homer by Quentin.

I tire in the 7th and give up a leadoff double to Figgins. Bumgarner knocks him in with a RBI double to left center. Harville drives him in with a RBI single down the right field line. Mike pulls me with the score tied at 5.

We win it in the 8th off a 3 run homer by Dunn. 8-5.

6 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 4 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Oct 1, 2016 -

We are eliminated from the playoffs, but I'm still highly motivated as I'm making my last start before hitting free agency. I want win #20 so badly. We are at home. We are 86-74. The Royals are 82-78.

I strike out Butler with a 1-2 inside fastball to end a 1-2-3 1st.

Milo Pratt, their young left fielder, beats out an infield single to third. I stirke out Shealy looking with a 0-2 fastball on the outside corner. Alexei with a 2 out throwing error puts men on 1st and 3rd as Pratt easily advances. Odalis Brito draws a walk to load the bases. Pena grounds back to me and I throw it home for the easiest out.

Coco with a solo homer in the 3rd to make it a 1-0 lead.

Pratt leads off the 4th with a double to left center. I strike out Shealy on a 1-2 change for the 1st out. Burl Ottavino hits a 1-2 slider down the left field line for a RBI double. Mark Teahan hits a 1-2 splitter into right field for a RBI single as Ottavino barely beats the throw home. Trouble continues as Brito hits it up the middle. Pena with a RBI single to shallow center. Coco Crisp hits it hard at Coco and he has it hit off his shoulder and into right field. The comedy of errors continues as Paulino throws it into center field on a Crisp steal attempt. That allows a run to score. Finally, I get out of the inning. Down 4-1. :(

Butler leads off the 5th with a single to right field. Shealy with a 1 out single to right but Dunn throws out Butler at 3rd. 2 away. I get the next batter to ground out. I really need my guys to pick me up with some runs here..

They fail to score and Mike decides to pull me. We lose the game 5-1. I finish the year 19-8 and I wonder if I cost myself the Cy Young with these last few subpar performances?

5 IP, 8 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

October 2, 2016 -

We finish the year 87-75 and miss the playoffs. It is time to take a serious look at the contenders for my services next year (assuming they show interest. First a final look at my stats this season and in my career:

19-8. I had the most wins in the AL. 3.03 ERA (Young had a 2.71 to finish the year with a 18-6 record. My ERA was 3rd in the AL) 33 GS, 23 QS, 2 CG, 2 SO, 216.2 IP (led the AL), 188 H, 81 R, 73 ER, 14 HR, 51 BB, 160 K (7th in AL), 1.10 WHIP (2nd in AL), .246 vs RH, .212 vs LH.


My abbreviated career stats:

2009 (AA): 13-5, 1.95 ERA, 75 K
2010 (AAA): 11-4, 2.74 ERA, 68 K
2010 (MLB): 4-4, 4.08 ERA, 26 K
2011 (MLB): 12-5, 3.01 ERA, 117 K
2012 (MLB): 11-10, 2.85 ERA, 138 K
2013: 5-20, 4.38, 123 K
2014: 15-9, 3.31, 154 K
2015 11-12, 4.05, 140 K
2016 19-8, 3.03, 160 K

Now to look at the contenders in depth..

[Eaglesfan27]

White Sox: They finished the year 87-75. The most attractive aspect is a strong bullpen that almost never blew a lead once I gave it to them. However, they finished the year dead last in runs scored. Whaley is a great blossoming hitter, but will he be the same after this injury? Dunn is aging and will probably lose a lot in the next year or two, will they replace him or will he continue to hit for a lower and lower average? The defense is good when Gwynn or Owens starts in center but with Terrell it is going to be rocky for at least a year or two and Owens is 34, so they might give Terrell the job even when Owens recovers from his injury. I'd say they are a long shot if I get any of the better pursuers.

Cleveland: #1 offense in the Majors with over 900 runs scored. Finished the year 101-61. They will be playing a top notch defensive center fielder every single day that he is healthy since Sizemore hits so well. Schartner is a good defensive 2B. So is Asdrubal Cabrera who started a lot at 2nd. Peralta is a decent SS. No real weaknesses anywhere defensively. The big question is are they going to let Donald Davila sign somewhere else as he is now a free agent. If so, that will be a big blow to their offense. Matt Capps is a solid closer and I'd be glad to work with him again, but the relief men are a bit iffy. Decent chance I'll sign with them I think if they offer the most money..

The Angels finished the year 102-60 and 5th in runs scored with 862. They are in a weak division which should make it easier to win. Their offensive stars are just hitting their prime with the exception of Carlos Lee who might retire. Miguel Cabrera is one of the best hitters in the game. Josh Hamilton is a powerful bat and will always start in center. He isn't a great center fielder as he is a bit slow, but he has solid instincts. Wilson Cotts is a good hitting good fielding 3rd baseman. Howie Kendrick is a top notch defender at 2nd. Cesar Izturis might be showing some age but is still a very good defender. They have one of the best closers in the game in Jonathan Papelbon. Joel Zumaya is a great setup man. They are definitely a contender for my services.


The Yankees finished the year with a 110-52 record. Their offense finished 2nd or 1st in most major categories. They scored just under 900 runs this year. Jose Reyes is the best leadoff hitter and defensive shortstop in the game at this point IMO. He is signed for 1 more year and is in his prime so the Yankees will probably re-sign him. Teixeira is a FA this year, but he is likely to re-sign and he is a top notch hitter and decent defender. Utley is getting up there in age, but he just hit .304 with 35 HR's which are his best in years. He is still a good defender. Willy Taveras has great speed in center to make up for his questionable instincts. The only downside is that their bullpen is questionable with a bunch of young guys in there.

The Red Sox finished the year 91-71. Their offense was in the top 5 in most categories. Dustin Pedroia is in his prime and is an excellent defender at 2nd. Jacoby is a FA, but will likely re-sign. He has elite instincts and speed. He'd cover a ton of ground out there. Felix Pineda is a young left fielder who most scouts say will be the next great hitter in baseball. Justin Upton uses his speed to cover a lot of ground in right. Carlos Gomez has great speed and is a very good 4th outfielder. Francisco Rodriguez had an off-year but is still one of the elite closers. They have 2 very good setup men. I think they might be my top choice, although the Green Monster worries me a bit. One other thing I like about Boston is that they were 2nd in the majors in stolen bases. Part of that is because Jacoby stole 74, but still they have good team speed throughout. They will generate a lot of runs.

The Braves are a long shot but they are worthy of consideration. They won the NL East this year with a 90-72 record. Joe Mauer has a gun of an arm and would be a great weapon behind the plate. Valentine Rivas covers a lot of ground in center. Kelly Johnson is a good 2nd baseman. Claudio Vargas is a young 1st baseman who is being compared to Albert in his prime. He is only in his 3rd year and he'll be around for at least 3 or 4 more years. However, their pen is very questionable.


The Phillies finished the year 87-75. They were in the bottom 3rd in most offensive categories with Ryan Howard being their only truly dangerous hitter. Even with Howard's 50 homers, they finished the year 20th in homers. SS Troy Tulowitzki was 2nd on the team with 16 homers. Their best weapon outside of Howard is Cole Hamels which doesn't help me at all. Cole is a FA this year and will be competing with me for the top pitching contract. On the plus side, Victorino is a very good defensive center fielder who can hit and will start all games that he can. Tulowitzki is a gold glove short stop with great instincts. However, starter Chet Cates is a terrible defender at 2nd. They have terrible options at 3rd and the corner outfield spots as Kearns is getting old and I never liked playing with him that much before. I hate to say it, but the Phillies are a long shot.

The Reds finished the year 89-73. I worry about them cutting payroll too much to seriously consider them.

The Cubs finished the year 88-74. They finished 6th in runs scored. They are 4th in homers with their big 3 of Adrian Gonzalez, Aramis Ramirez, and Ian Kinsler. They have a good defender in Nate McLouth in center, but he is starting to lose a step and is a FA so he might not be back. Kelly Shoppach has a very good arm behind the plate. Kinsler is a good defensive 2B. Theriot is an average shortstop. Their pen is questionable. They are a long shot I think.

Those are all of the teams that are getting serious consideration. Now, I just have to wait a little over a month to see who makes a real play for me. Hopefully, one of my favored teams want me.

[Eaglesfan27]

October 9, 2016 -

The Awards have been announced. Grady Sizemore won AL MVP. Ryan Howard won the NL MVP.

Rocky Murrant, Yankees, beat me out for the AL Cy Young. Those last 2 starts cost me. He finished the year 18-3 with a 3.05 ERA. Agustin Rosales, Yankees, won the Rolaids Relief Award with 57 saves. Boston had 4 guys win Gold Gloves: Youkilis, Pedroia, Jacoby, and David DeJesus. Cleveland won 3.

Cleveland beat the Dodgers in 7 games in the World Series. They beat the Yankess in 3 in the first round and beat the Angels in 7 in the 2nd round. The Angels beat the Red Sox in 5 in the first round. The Dodgers swept both of their opponents in getting to the WS. I'll need to take a closer look at the Dodgers as well..

Pablo Sandoval won the WS MVP. He hit .370 with 1 HR and 6 RBI's.

Corey Hart won the Playoff MVP Award. He hit .351 with 4 HR's and 18 RBI.


The Hall of Fame Class was announced:

SP John Smoltz 238-161, 3.33 ERA, 3377 K.
1B Frank Thomas .300, 521 HR, 1707 RBI.
CP Trevor Hoffman, 58-71, 603 S, 2.79 ERA, 1110 K.
CP Billy Wagner 41-39, 385 S, 2.55 ERA, 1107 K.


Due to game crashing, had to re-sim the post season and Cleveland still won the World Series. This time in 5.

[Eaglesfan27]

Notable Retirements:

Wow. Chris Young decided to hang them up! I guess the White Sox will be bidding even harder for me now. They also lost Kelvim Escobar to retirement which was expected.

1B Kevin Youkilis, Bos
RF Vlad, Yankees
3B Chone Figgins, Det
CF Coco Crisp, KC
CP Jonathan Papelbon, Angels (hmm, that just dropped them down a bit in my rankings)
CF Shane Victorino, Phillies (ditto)
SP Roy Oswald, Houston
2B Orlando Hudson, Cards
LF Matt Holiday, Dodgers

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec 1, 2016 -

Edit due to reason below:

NO!! I remember reading about this from other people (Sun Tzu, I think). The game just froze as I went to the league roundup on Jan 1, 2017. I haven't saved. Therefore, disregard the last few posts if you have already read them. I'm deleting them now.

[Eaglesfan27]

Nov. 13, 2016 -

(This is a re-do of the offseason due to game crashing):

The first day that I'm a FA, I get offered 3 monster contracts. 1 of them is very tempting:

The Indians offer me 154 million over 8 years.

The Royals (surprising - they did this before as well but not as long or as much money) offer me 8 years for 173 million.

The Mets offer me 7 years for 166 million.

I'm tempted to jump on that offer by the Indians, but I'm going to play the field a bit longer.


The Braves made a bold move and signed David Wright for 3 years and 54 million.

The Phillies kept Cole Hamels by giving him 9 years for 200 million!


Nov 22, 2016 -

Playing the field and the Angels have just jumped in with an offer of 4 years for 82 million. The Indians have sweetened their offer to 5 years and 105 million.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec 1, 2016 -

The Red Sox have just added Prince Fielder for 5 years and 77 million. If they re-sign Jacoby, they would be my top destination, but they need to make me an offer soon or I'm going to sign with the Indians.


The Royals moved on from me and made 2 bold moves signing Brett Myers to 4 years and 38 million and getting Zack Greinke from Boston for 5 years and 68 million. You'd think that would make Boston come after me..


Dec 3, 2016 -

The Indians have gotten tired of waiting for me. They have withdrawn their offer. The same day the Red Sox have offered me 4 years and 90 million. I'll kick myself for not taking the Indians deal if the Red Sox fail to re-sign Jacoby, but I'm going to sign with them in a few days unless the Indians make a new offer.


Dec 5, 2016 -

I decide to enter into serious negotiations with the Red Sox as I don't think they will wait much more for me to leave them hanging. I just hope they re-sign Jacoby as well. They tell me that they are committed to at least a 200 million dollar budget and may go as high as 250 million.

We negotiate back and forth and finally settle on a 4 year deal for 98 million with a club option. I'm a Red Sox! I hope I can do better against the Yankees in my future starts.

[Eaglesfan27]

Dec 31, 2016 -

This will be the last offseason update due to that crash bug. Hopefully, I can get through 2017 without incident as long as I don't go to that screen. I'll just have to figure out where the big FA's who haven't signed yet go by using the roster screen.

Right after the Red Sox signed me, they signed Adam Wainwright for 4 year and 42 million. They reloaded their pitching staff after those losses. They also have re-signed David DeJesus.

The Yankees re-signed Mark for 2 years and 32 million.

Jacoby hasn't signed anywhere yet, he is making me nervous. I hope to see him at Spring Training.


Yes, Jacoby re-signed for 80 million over 4 years. (from looking at the spring training roster screen) :)


Feb 26, 2017 -

An overview of my new teammates from what I've seen so far and what I've heard:

SP Brandon Webb is starting to show his age a bit, but he is still good for 15-20 wins any year. 17-5 last year despite a 4.54 ERA. He has a great change.

2B Pedroia - Will hit for a high average, but not a lot of power. Good speed, great fielder.

1B Prince Fielder - Great power at age 31. Ok fielder. He has developed a good eye. He hit .318 with 36 HR's last year.

CF Jacoby Ellsbury - Great speed, great hitter, great fielder. Not much power, but he'll hit for a very good average. Last year was his lowest average in 5 years, but he still hit .285 with 13 HR's and 74 steals.

LF Felix Pineda - Only 24. Last year was his first as a starter. He hit .328 with 13 HR's. He'll always hit for a high average and is expected to develop plus power. He has good speed and great instincts in the field. Between him and Jacoby, they will make some great plays in the outfield.

Our rotation is absolutely stacked with 6 quality starters:

Myself, Webb, Lester, Wainwright, Josh Beckett, and Ben Sheets.

Francisco Rodriguez is 34 and is still an elite closer. 5 plus pitches.

1B Paul Konerko - Still a quality hitter at age 39. May play some in the field and DH some, I'd expect.

LF David DeJesus - 36 years old but still has good wheels and great instincts in the field. Will play for us in right quite a bit. Every outfielder in our top 5 has good fielding and speed which was one of the top reasons I wanted this team.

SS Mohamed Fowler may be a bigger negative than I anticipated. He's a below average fielder but does have good speed on the bases.


April 1, 2017 -

Not that it necessarily means anything, but we dominated the grapefruit league and finished 1st with a 25-10 record. We scored the most runs with 204! We also allowed the fewest in the league. Fielder absolutely tore it up with the protection around him in the lineup. He had 8 homers and hit .400.

I had a very good spring with a 5-1 record and a 2.95 ERA. I struck out 42 in 44 innings. I really worked on my splitter with the pitching coach and think it has become a high quality pitch now. I'm expected to be the ace of this staff and I've been named the opening day starter.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 3, 2017 -

I'm starting the season opener/home opener tonight and we are hosting the Twins. They have Carlos Zambrano starting. Their lineup is essentially unchanged from last year.

Our lineup is unexpected slightly as Dwain Hayden won the right fielder job in spring training and young Rodrigo Garza won the 3rd base job:

CF Jacoby Ellsbury
LF Felix Pineda
2B Dustin Pedroia
1B Prince Fielder
C Dioner Navarro
DH David DeJesus (I'd put him in right field personally)
SS Mohamed Fowler
RF Dwain Hayden - an average hitter and defender from what I saw in spring training
3B Rodrigo Garza

Pedroia with a brilliant play to get to a ball up the middle and then recovers and throws out the leadoff runner, Brett Gardner! Morneau with a single up the middle that Pedroia barely missed. Gary hits into a 6-4-3 DP to end the 1st.

I strike out Wiki Macias with a 1-2 slider for the 1st out of the 2nd. Nice play by Garza at 3rd for the 2nd out. Jacoby with a nice catch of a shallow liner for the 3rd out.

Crud. Morneau hits a 3-2 change to right field for a 2 run homer in the 3rd.

I strike out Macias with a way outside 0-2 fastball to start the 4th. I strike out Iannetta with a 1-2 inside fastball to end the inning. Come on guys, let's get some offense going.

After being held hitless through 3 innings, we get it going. Jacoby with a double. Pineda knocks him in and DeJesus knocks in Pineda. 2-2.

Fielder flashing some nice leather in the 5th. 1-2-3 5th.

1-2-3 6th that ends with another nice play by Fielder. He doesn't have much range, but he gets anything within a step or two of him even if it is hard.

I strike out Macias again, this time with a 1-2 inside fastball to start the 7th inning. 1-2-3 7th. Come on guys, score again...

It's still tied at 2 after 7 and I'm pulled after 7. We score 1 in the bottom of the 8th which is the winning margin, 3-2.

Justin Masterson gets the win in the pen. Francisco gets his 1st save of the year.

7 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 8, 2017 -

We won 3 of 4 vs Minnesota and won yesterday in Kansas City. We are 4-1 as I prepare to start our 2nd game in Kansas City. They have added some pitching, but their offense still isn't that strong. They are starting Tom Gorzelanny tonight.

Their lineup:

2B Fidel Collazo
3B Burl Ottavino
1B Billy Butler
LF Milo Pratt
DH Jason Kubel
RF Mark Teahan
C Adrian Borchard
SS Felipe Lopez
CF Rajai Davis

Our lineup (I like the moves we made tonight)

CF Jacoby
LF Felix
2B Dustin
1B Prince
DH Paul Konerko (yes to more power!)
SS Mohamed Fowler
RF Carlos Gomez (yes to more speed and defense)
C Dioner
3B Rodrigo (flashed some nice leather in my 1st start, so I like him.)

Jacoby made a catch for the 2nd out of the 1st that only a few others could have made. Great long running catch in the right center gap. Prince with a nice defensive play to end the inning.

Fielder with a solo homer in the 2nd and then Dioner with a 2 RBI double. 3-0 lead.

With 1 out, Kubel hits a long fly down the left field line, Felix is racing over, dives, and just misses it. It becomes a triple as a result. I walk Teahan to set up the double play. I get the grounder from Borchard but it is well hit and gets in between the 5-6 gap. Lopez with a single just past our third baseman. Bases loaded with 1 out. Rajai hits it to right for the sac fly. Good throw by Gomez but it was just a second late. Sigh. Collazo with a line drive to left that falls just before Felix can catch it and drives in a run. I get Burl to ground out to 3rd to end the inning. Tied at 3 after 2.

Butler grounds out to Prince to start the 3rd. Milo flies out to deep center but Jacoby gets back easily. I strike out Kubel with a 1-2 slider to end the inning.

Tied at 3 after 4 innings.

YES! The offense explodes in the 5th. RBI's by Jacoby, Pedroia, Fielder, Gomez, and Dioner. 8-3 lead.

My stuff isn't there tonight, but I get a 5-4-3 DP to end the 5th. Great turn by Pedroia.

I strike out Kubel with a 1-2 outside fastball to start the 6th. I really used my slider there to set him up. Teahan with a long drive of 1-1 slider but Gomez does a good job racing back and catching it at the warning track. Dioner is great at blocking balls in the dirt, will really give me the confidence to throw my splitter more. Speaking of which, I strike out Borchard with a 2-2 splitter down low to end the 6th.

Lopez draws a walk to start the 7th. Gary comes to the mound and pulls me after that. Wes Littleton comes into the game. He's pitched 1.1 innings with 0 earned runs so far this year.

Sigh. Wes allows the inherited run to score and then allows 4 more to score for good measure. We lose the game 9-8.

6 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 3 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 12, 2017 -

We win 3 of 4 after that loss including 2 of 3 vs Cleveland. Heh, it's very early in the season but the White Sox are 3rd in runs scored while we are 16th as a team. I'm sure (at least I hope) that will change with a bigger sample size. Jacoby has had a slow start, so once he gets going, I'm sure our offense will be more consistent.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 13, 2017 -

Tonight, I get the start at Cleveland. Hopefully, their hitters won't make me regret not choosing them. We are 7-3 and they are 6-4. Their offense is in the bottom half of most categories early as they have relied on pitching and defense for the first 2 weeks. Brian Roberts is starting at short tonight which worries me a bit.

Konerko is starting at 1st tonight as Fielder is getting a day off.

Jacoby starts off the game with a walk, a steal, and then a run as DeJesus knocks him in. 1-0 lead.

1-2-3 to start the 1st as Sizemore flies out to left center where Jacoby catches it easily.

Jacoby with a 2 RBI double in the 2nd. 3-0 lead. He knocked in Garza and Gomez.

Roberts with a throwing error in the 2nd to put their first base runner on with 1 out. Peralta with a hard hit down the left field line. Men on 1st and 3rd now. My fastball just isn't moving well tonight. Norwood with a RBI single into right field. Sandoval with a sac fly to center. Roberts with a very good play at short to end the inning on a hard grounder by Schartner. We are up 3-2 after 2.

I strike out Corey Hart with a 1-2 splitter to start the 3rd. My splitter has some real bite to it tonight. My fastball continues to show no movement. Lorenz drills it into left field for a single. Sizemore hits a splitter into left field for a double. Men on 2nd and 3rd as Gomez played it well off the wall. I strike out Davila with a 2-2 splitter for the 2nd out. I strike out Dittfurth with a 2-2 splitter!

I strike out Norwood with a 3-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 4th. Konerko with a diving catch of a line drive to end the inning! I'm starting to get a good feel for my fastball now.

Jacoby with a double in the 5th and DeJesus knocks him in again. 4-2 game with Jacoby scoring or knocking in every run.

Konerko with a 2 run homer in the 7th. 6-2 lead.

I strike out Hart with a 1-2 slider to end the 7th. Gary decides to go the pen for the 8th inning. We win the game 6-3. Buchholz allows 1 run in the 8th, but Francisco pitches a perfect 9th for his 5th save of the year.

I get my 1st win as a Red Sox!

7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 17, 2017 -

Felix Pineda has suffered a dislocated ankle and is done for the year. Right after his injury, we went on a 3 game losing streak against Texas. I feel good about Gomez in left, but the morale in the club house definitely took a bit of a blow. We are now 9-6 which is a half of a game behind the Yankees. Our offense is really starting to pick it up the last few games, but the pitching has let us down as we lost 9-6 and 5-4, specifically the middle relief has been a bit of a mess early. Ben Sheets is not doing well as a long reliever so far. Enrique Gonzalez has been a disaster early. However, Taylor Buchholz is doing great as a setup man and Francisco has been lights out so far.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 19, 2017 -

Tonight, I start at home vs Texas. They are 7-6. I'll be much more careful of Hargrove this game compared to the last time I faced him. There really is something magical about the surrounding of Fenway.

My splitter gets Leroy Hammer to hit into a 6-4-3 DP after allowing a leadoff single in the 1st.

No strikeouts yet, but I'm in complete control through 4 with most pitches being kept in the infield.

In the 5th, I get my first strikeout with a 2-2 slider against Buddy Theriot.

Garza with a solo homer in the 6th. 1-0 lead.

I walk JC Siegel to start the 7th and Gary pulls me after that. Eustice Gonzalez allows the inherited run to score. SOB. There goes my win. We score 2 in the bottom of the 7th and win it 3-2 despite Francisco giving up a run in the 9th. Gonzalez gets his 1st win and Francisco gets his 7th save of the year.

6 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 24, 2017 -

We are on a 5 game winning streak. I hope to coninue that in Chicago as I visit my old club for the first time. We are 14-6. They are 8-10 as their offense is struggling to score runs in the last week. We lead our division by 2.5 games.

Konerko with a 2 RBI double to knock in Jacoby and Dustin in the 1st. 2-0 lead as I take the mound for the first time.

Owens tries to bunt for a hit to start the game, but I field it cleanly and throw him out. Cano flies out to DeJesus in left for the 2nd out. I get Whaley to pop up a 1-1 slider to end the inning.

Dunn chases an outside fastball but he flares it just over Garza's head for a bloop single. A slider turns into a wild pitch and advances Dunn to 2nd. Wow. A 1-2 fastball is too high and is scored a wild pitch. My normal catcher isn't back there and I thought that was a passed ball. I strike out Alexei with a 3-2 slider for the 1st out. I strike out Budde with a 3-2 slider. I've got a great feel for that pitch today. Burnitz flies out to right to end the inning.

I strike out Aybar with high heat to begin the 3rd. I strike Paulino out with a 3-2 slider!

Estalella, our catcher, with a 2 RBI double in the 4th. 4-0 lead as he drove in Garza and Roberts.

I strike out Dunn with an outside 0-2 fastball to end the 4th.

Garza knocks in Fowler in the 5th. 5-0 lead.

Budde with a single to start the 5th after fighting off 8 pitches. Jacoby chases a deep line drive to center and almost makes a spectacular catch but it bounces off the tip of his glove. Double for Burnitz. Aybar with a sac fly to right. I strike out Paulino with a 1-2 slider to end the inning.

Konerko with a 3 RBI double in the 6th. We score 4 total in the inning to make it 9-1.

Gary pulls me after 6 strong innings in which I threw close to 100 (well 92 to be precise) pitches. We win the game 9-1. Wes Littleton pitched the final 3 innings and got his 1st save as a result. I get my 2nd win of the year.

6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

April 29, 2017 -

We are 17-8. We beat the Yankees last night in the 1st of a 3 game series. I hope to make it 2 of 3 tonight as I'm starting against Chien-Ming Wang. Hopefully, I'll handle their hitters better than I did last time. I think I've got a new philosophy that is going to help me get more strikeouts and avoid more big innings.

Reyes grounds a 0-2 slider to 3rd for the 1st out of the game. Utley grounds a 1-0 splitter back to me for the 2nd out. I strike out Mark with a 3-2 fastball on the outside corner to end the inning.

Fielder with a 3 run homer in the 1st. DeJesus and Dustin scored on the play. 3-0 lead after 1.

I strike out their young catcher, Timmy Surhoff, with a 2-2 inside fastball to start the 2nd. I walk Headley on 4 pitches. Rico Estrada flies out to center for the 2nd out. Dorsey Kattaras, their right fielder, flies out to center to end the inning.

Melky Cabrera lays off a good 3-2 slider and draws a walk to start the 3rd. With 1 outs, Reyes gets an infield single. Men on 1st and 2nd. Utley flies out to Jacoby who races back to catch it for the 2nd out. Reyes tries to steal 2nd and is gunned down by Dioner to end the inning.

Dustin throws the ball away to start the 4th. That puts Mark on 2nd. I strike out Timmy again with a 1-2 inside fastball. I walk Chase. A 3-1 fastball to Rico misses and loads the bases. Whew. A 2-1 splitter gets Katteras to hit into a 4-6-3 DP to end the inning.

I strike out Willy Taveras with a low 0-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 5th. Reyes flies out to left to end the inning.

Chase flies out to center on the first pitch. On a 2-0 change, Mark grounds out to short. Timmy hits a first pitch slider past Fowler for a single. Fielder with a great snag of a line drive by Chase to end the inning.

1-2 slider gets Rico to strike out to start the 7th. Kottaras with a grounder back up the middle for a single. He promptly gets thrown out trying to steal 2nd. Cabrera grounds out to Fielder to end the inning.

Roberts with an RBI and Jacoby with 2 in the 7th. 6-0 lead.

Taveras draws a walk to begin the 8th. Reyes with a single to left. Gary pulls me after that and I can't blame him, I've thrown 105 pitches and my arm is tiring fast tonight. He gives it to Buchholz who has done well, but he allows both inherited runs to score.

We win it 7-2. I get my 3rd win of the year.

7 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 5 K. I'm very satisfied with this win after how they beat me up last year.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 1, 2017 -

We just completed a sweep of the Yankees and the clubhouse is a blast right now. We are 19-8 and 3.5 games ahead of Toronto.

The offense is 3rd in team batting average with Dustin and Fowler both flirting with .400. We are 5th in runs scored. We are 16th in homers hit. We are 3rd in stolen bases with Jacoby already having 10.

Our pitching staff is 1st in ERA with Jon Lester leading the way with a 1.29 ERA. We are 1st in Complete Games as Lester has 2 and Webb has 1. We are 1st in saves. We are 3rd in hits allowed. We are 3rd in HR's allowed. We are 2nd in strikeouts. Lester leads the team with 30, but I and Webb are right behind him.

I felt some pressure with the big contract, and I think I've shaken that off to have an excellent first month:

3-0, 2.31 ERA, 6 GS, 5 QS, 39 IP, 24 H, 12 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 24 K, 0.90 WHIP, .140 vs RH, .207 vs LH.

My new philosophy is to work the corners much more and waste more pitches to try to set up weak hits and strikeouts. In previous years, I've thrown too many pitches that were in the strike zone. So far, I'd say it is working very well, as I've primarily done this the last 3 starts.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 4, 2017 -

Tonight, I get the start against the Angels who are struggling early. They are 13-15 with offensive stats in the bottom 10 in most categories.

Cotts manages to draw a leadoff walk after fouling off a 3 3-2 pitches. Kendrick pops to 1st on a shattered bat. Dioner throws out Cotts on a steal attempt. Miguel Cabrera hits a 2-0 outside slider weakly to 3rd for the 3rd out.

Mike Napoli strikes out on a 3-2 fastball to start the 2nd. Hamilton flies out to Jacoby for the 2nd out. They have Carlos Quentin now.. He draws a walk as a 3-2 slider misses outside. Harry Magruder strikes out on a 3-2 fastball to end the inning.

Michael Cuddyer strikes out on a 1-2 low fastball to start the 3rd. Placido Cavazos strikes out on a 3-2 fastball. Cotts grounds out to short to end the inning.

Jacoby with a RBI in the 4th and then Konerko hits a 3 run homer. 4-0 lead.

Kendrick starts off the 4th with a single up the middle, that is the first hit I've given up today. Cabrera hits a 0-2 splitter to the wall in center but Jacoby puts it away. Napoli hits a first pitch slider to right field for a 2 run homer. That is his 8th homer of the year. Hamilton hits a 1-2 high fastball weakly to left. Quentin flies out to left to end the inning.

Konerko with another 3 run homer! 7-2 lead.

Magruder argues a call at 1st to start the 5th and gets himself ejected. 1-2-3 5th.

Garza with a diving stop and throw from his knees to start the 6th with an out. Kendrick with an infield single. Cabrera hits it into the right center gap, and I'm convinced no other centerfielder makes the catch that Jacoby just made. Love his defense. I walk Napoli. Hamilton grounds out to short to end the inning.

Quentin starts the 7th with a single past Fowler. Garza with a leaping catch of a line drive to end the inning.

Cotts starts the 8th with a double off a 2-2 slider. My arm is almost out of gas. Gary pulls me. Buchholz allows the inherited run and 1 more to score, but we win the game 7-4.

I get my 4th win.

7 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 10, 2017 -

Tonight, I'm starting at home against Toronto. They are 19-15. We are 25-10.

Teddy Nash fouls off a few pitches before drawing a 10 pitch walk to start the game. Tovar with a first pitch single to left to put men on 1st and 2nd. Maurice Goodrich hits a 1st pitch past Fielder for a RBI single into right. Emilio Alcantatra hits into a 4-3 DP as Dustin tags the runner going by. Carlos Lee hits a 1-1 slider to deep left for a solo homer. I'm pissed at myself now. I strike out Armstrong with a 2-2 splitter to end the inning. Down 3-0.

I strike out Nunez with a 1-2 slider to start the 2nd. I strike out Roland Hood with a 1-2 fastball to end the 2nd.

Nash draws a 8 pitch walk to start the 3rd. The next 3 batters all fly out.

Lee with a single to start the 4th. Struck out Armstrong with a 2-2 fastball. Nunez with a 2 out single to right. Men on 1st and 3rd now. Hood grounds out to Dustin to end the inning.

Struck out Alcantara with a 1-2 fastball to end the 5th. Still down 3-0.

Gary pulls me after 5 today.

We tie it in the 6th and DeJesus hits a grandslam in the 8th to give us the final score of 7-3.

5 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 15, 2017 -

We are on a 7 game winning streak. Time for me to keep it going at home vs Detroit. We are 30-10 and 6 games ahead of the Rays (and 8 games ahead of the Yankees.) They are 15-23.

Doerr gets a leadoff walk as my 3-2 fastball misses just inside. A 3-6-1 DP takes care of that. I strike out Curtis Granderson with a 0-2 outside fastball to end the inning.

I strike out Guy Harville with a 3-2 change to start the 2nd. Jason Pridie hits a 1-1 high outside fastball and puts a real charge into it - Homer over the monster. Back to back singles has me in trouble.. Dwain Hayden with a spectacular catch in right for the 2nd out. The runner advances to 3rd. Fowler bobbles a hard grounder but recovers and guns it to 1st to barely beat the runner and get us out of the inning. Down 1-0.

Estalella with a 2 run homer in the 3rd. 2-1 lead.

In the 4th, they managed to load the bases with 2 outs, but I struck out Robinzon Diaz with a 2-2 fastball to end the inning.

In the 5th, Curtis Granderson hits a 1-0 change to deep center to tie the game.

Jason Pridie with a ball high off the Green Monster in the 6th. That gets him a leadoff triple. After getting a popup to 1st, I purposefully walk Ian Stewart. Valentino Valentine hits a shallow linedrive to center and Jacoby makes a brilliant running shoestring catch! The runner isn't even going to test him on that. Shit. I get squeezed on my first 2 pitches and then give up a RBI single down the left field line to their #9 hitter, Diaz. Doerr grounds out to end the inning. I'm out of gas.

Come on guys, get us the lead before I have to leave the game..

We lose the game 5-3 and I get my first loss of the year.

6 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 20, 2017 -

Tonight, I get the start against Washington at their field. I'm looking forward to trying to bat again. Jacoby is getting a night off tonight.

We take a 2-0 lead on a homer by Fielder in the 1st. That is his 16th home run of the year.

I strike out Upton looking at a 1-2 curve to start the game! I think that is the first time I've ever struck anyone out with my curve. Next batter hits a 1-1 curve up the middle for a single. Zimmerman hits a 1-1 fastball to deep left and DeJesus misjudges it. It is a double. Men on 2nd and 3rd as it looked like it would be caught. Gomez grounds out to short but scores a run. I strike out Adam Saarloos with a 0-2 slider to end the inning.

I strike out Zimmerman with a 0-2 splitter to end the 3rd.

After allowing a leadoff double, I get the next batter to ground to 1st and then I strike out Ben Zorbist, their SS, with a 1-2 slider. A fly ball to Gomez in center ends the inning.

I got a single in the 5th as I hit a ground ball just out of their 2B's range, but my teammates couldn't knock me in.

I strike out Saarloos with a 0-2 outside fastball to end the 6th.

I give up a 1 out single in the 7th. Gary goes to the pen and brings in Enrique Gonzalez. He gets us out of the inning, but Buchholz gives up a run in the 8th and then steals my win after we score 5 in the 9th. 7-2 win.

6.1 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

May 26, 2017 -

Tonight, I'm starting against the Rays. We are 36-14 and they are 28-20. B.J. Upton is hitting the best for them this year with a .321 avg and 6 HR's.

Fielder and Dioner with RBI's in the 1st. 2-0 lead.

I strike out Jason Wood with a 2-2 change for the 1st out of the 3rd.

I strike out Joe Inglett with a 2-2 slider for the 1st out of the 4th. Upton hits an inside the park homer high off the Green Monster after DeJesus misplays it! I come back and strike out Pena with a 1-2 slider.

Garza with a 2 run homer in the 4th. That is his 12th. He's hitting well and playing very well at 3rd. 4-1 lead.

Garza with a good defensive play to start the 5th. I strike out Darnell Buscher with a 0-2 change for the 2nd out.

Pereira starts off the 6th with a double down the left field line. Inglett grounds to 3rd where Garza looks the runner back and throws the ball to 1st for the out. Dioner throws out Pereira on an attempt to steal 3rd. Garza handles a hot grounder to end the inning.

Pena with a single and Jason Bay with a double to start the 7th. I intentionally walk Matt Joyce to set up the DP/Force. Gary pulls me after that! Justin Masterson comes into the game.. he gets out of the inning only allowing 1 inherited run to score.

We win the game 6-3. I get my 5th win!

6 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 1, 2017 -

Tonight, I get the start at home vs the Angels. Josh Hamilton is their most dangerous hitter.

Kendrick draws a 1 out walk in the 1st, but I get all of the other batters to fly out.

Hamilton with a single to left center to start the 2nd. I strike Cuddyer with a 0-2 slider for the 2nd out of the 2nd.

Cotts with a 1 out walk in the 3rd, then he steals 2nd, and then comes home on a single by Kendrick to left field. I strike out Miguel Cabrera with a 1-2 fastball. Mike Napoli strikes out looking at a 2-2 splitter on the outside corner.

Jacoby and Konerko each with a RBI in the 3rd and Swan with 2 of them. 4-1 lead.

Ouch. Magruder hits a 3-1 splitter that hung a bit over the Monster.

Crud. Kendrick hits a 2 run homer to tie it in the 5th off a 2-1 fastball. Mike Napoli makes it back to back homers! He crushed that ball and sent it WAY over the Monster. I strike out Magruder looking with a 2-2 slider.

We take the lead in the bottom of the 5th, 6-5. Gary pulls me to start the 6th. I'm surprised as the pen holds the lead, until Francisco blows the save by allowing a 2 run homer in the 9th. We lose 7-6.

5 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 2, 2017 -

After a hot start, I feel like I'm slumping a bit and the team has been letting up a bit as well. We were 30-10, but we are now 38-18. We are 4 games ahead of the Rays. Our offense is in the top 5 in most offensive categories.

We are 1st in ERA, 1st in saves, 21st in blown saves as Francisco has now blown 2 and we've blown 9 as a team, 1st in HR's allowed (despite that last game), and 7th in strikeouts.

My stats so far: 5-1, 2.91 ERA, 12 GS, 9 QS, 74.1 IP, 60 H, 29 R, 24 ER, 8 HR, 24 BB, 49 K, 1.13 WHIP, .206 vs RH, .242 vs LH.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 6, 2017 -

Tonight, I'm starting at Texas vs Daniel Cabrera. He is 4-1 and is the clear ace of their staff.

Dioner knocks in DeJesus and Konerko with a double. Then, he gets knocked in by Fowler. 3-0 before I even take the mound.

I strike out Jarrod Saltalamacchia looking at a 1-2 curve on the outside corner for the 1st out of the 2nd. Trouble in the 2nd as I give up a single, walk a guy, and then a 1-1 fastball hits Royster in the leg to load the bases. I get Arnold Girard to pop up a 1-1 slider for the 2nd out. Joaquin Arias hits a blazing line drive that barely goes over Garza's head for a 2 RBI single. The next batter flies out to left to end the inning.

I strike out Trammell with a 2-2 inside fastball for the 1st out of the 3rd. I strike out Teagarden with a 2-2 high inside fastball to end the 3rd.

I strike out Jarrod with a 2-2 slider to start the 4th. I strike out Royster with a 0-2 high fastball to end the 4th.

I strike out Arias with a 1-2 high fastball to start the 5th. I think the pitching coach may have finally figured out my issues with the lack of strikeouts that I think I should have.

I strike out Jarrod with a low 1-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 6th. He's got the hat trick! I strike out Theriot with a 3-2 fastball to get out of the inning.

Roster starts off the 7th with a bloop single down the right field line. Gary pulls me after that. He turns to Gonzalez who promptly gives up a 2 run homer. We lose the game 4-3.

6 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 8 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 11, 2017 -

Today, we are hosting the Mets who have won the first 2 games of this 3 game series. The top of their lineup is dangerous with Rollins having an excellent start to the year. However, the pitching has let them down. They are 27-37. We are 42-23.

Rollins with an infield single to start the game. Edgar Nieves with a single to shallow center, but Gomez gets to it early and keeps the men at 1st and 2nd. Dioner throws out Rollins attempting to steal 3rd! Rios flies out to left for the 2nd out. Chris Duncan pops up to 3rd to end the inning.

Konerko with a 2 run homer in the 2nd. 2-0 lead.

For the first time ever, I threw all 5 pitches to a batter in a single at bat, including a 2-2 changeup that struck out Chris Burke for the 2nd out of the 3rd.

It took 9 pitches, but I finally strike out Franklin Gutierrez after allowing a leadoff double to Isidro Hernandez in the 5th. I strike out Montero with a 1-2 curve on the outside corner for the 2nd out! The final batter grounds out to Dustin to end the inning.

Garza with a 2 run homer in the 5th. 4-0 lead.

Fowler with an error in the 6th allows Rollins to get on.. they score it an infield single!?! Nieves with a single to center.. Gomez with a great throw to 3rd, but Rollins somehow evades the tag! Rios with a bloop RBI single down the right field line. Chris Duncan hits a 0-1 slider right at Garza who starts the 5-4-3 DP to get us out of the inning!

I strike out Franklin for the 1st out of the 7th after hitting Hernandez to start the inning. Dioner throws out Hernandez attempting to steal 2nd. The last batter grounds out to Roberts at short.

Gary pulls me after 7. Not the big strikeouts I wanted, but a very good game otherwise. I get my 6th win of the year, as we win it 4-1. Francisco gets his 21st save.

7 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 17, 2017 -

Tonight, I'm getting the start in Philly. We are 45-25. They have 2 dangerous hitters and the rest of the lineup is average or worse.

Troy Tulowitski grounds out to short to start the game. Chet Cates draws a 8 pitch walk. I get Ryan Howard to pop up a 3-1 fastball. Keneth Sirkoski pops up a 2-2 curve to end the inning.

After getting the 1st out of the 2nd, I handle a comeback by Nelson Cruz but throw it over Fielder's head. He's on 2nd on my error. Austin Kearns grounds out to 3rd for the 2nd out. I strike out Jesus Flores with a 2-2 high fastball to end the inning.

Scott Kazmir pops up my 1st pitch of the 3rd. After getting the next batter to ground out to short, Chet draws a walk again. I walk Howard on 4 straight pitches. Keneth grounds out to Dustin to end the inning.

I strike out Franquelis Arnez with a low 1-2 fastball to start the 4th. 1-2-3 4th.

I strike out Jesus Flores with a 2-2 slider to start the 5th. 1-2-3 5th. I have the no hitter going through 5.

Chet Cates hits the first pitch of the 6th to right field for a single. I strike out Howard with a 3-2 slider. With men on 1st and 2nd and 2 outs, I strike out Nelson Cruz with a 2-2 splitter to end the inning.

Flores draws a walk with 1 out in the 7th. Kazmir bunts the runner to 2nd. Troy with a RBI single that is just out of Dustin's reach. Chet flies out to right to end the inning.

Come on guys, get me the lead in the top of the 8th..

Scott Kazmir pitches 8 shutout innings and Jonathan Braxton pitches a perfect 9th. We lose the game 3-0.

My record drops to 6-2.

7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 5 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 23, 2017 -

Tonight, I get the start at home vs the Florida Marlins. We are 47-28. They are 28-44. Their best hitter is Dan uggla.

After giving up a leadoff single, Hank Blalock hits a very good 2-2 slider to right field for a 2 run homer. The next 3 hitters all ground out. Down 2-0.

I strike out Brignac with a high 0-2 fastball to end the 2nd inning.

Esalella with a 2 run homer to tie it in the 2nd.

With men on 1st and 3rd and 1 out in the 3rd, Garza misplays a grounder and it rolls under his glove for a RBI single. It was a tough play, but he should have handled it. I strike out Booker with a 2-2 slider for the 2nd out of the inning. I strike out Alfonso Sousa with a 0-2 splitter to end the inning.

I strike out Gonzalez with a 3-2 fastball to start the 4th. Roberts with a throwing error from short to allow the next runner to get to 2nd, but I get the next 2 batters to ground out to end the inning.

Crap. After allowing a lead off walk to Blalock, I hit Uggla with a 0-2 fastball. Nickle with a single past Dustin. Blalock barely beats the throw home to make it 4-2. A ground out to 3rd gets us our first out. I can't believe it, the Marlins are destroying me. Sousa with a 2 RBI single to right center. Gary pulls me after that.

We lose the game 7-6 in the 16th inning.

4.1 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 4 K. Very disappointing.

[Eaglesfan27]

June 28, 2017 -

Tonight, I start at home vs Baltimore and the ace of their staff, Gregory Andrus. He is 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA. I'm now 6-2 with a 3.19. We are 49-31. They are 33-47.

I strike out Markakis with a 3-2 fastball after hitting Adam Jones with the 1st pitch to start the game. With 2 outs, Fowler with a throwing error to allow men to get to 2nd and 3rd.

I strike out Conor Jackson with a 1-2 change to start the 2nd inning. I strike oiut Reinaldo Rosen with a 3-2 slider for the 2nd out.

I strike Ryan Raburn out with a 2-2 slider to start the 3rd. I strike out Quinton Lacey with a 2-2 fastball to end the inning.

I strike out Saucedo with a 1-2 fastball to start the 4th. I strike out Luigi Quevedo with a 1-2 fastball for the 2nd out. I strike out Conor Jackson with a 1-2 fastball to end the inning.

Konerko with a 2 run homer in the bottom of the 4th to give us the lead.

Rosen with the first hit off me to lead off the 5th. He hit a 1-2 change back up the middle. Gotay hits into a 6-4-3 that was started by a very good play by Fowler. I strike out Raburn with a high 1-2 fastball to end the inning.

Dustin with a 2 RBI double in the 5th and then Konerko knocks him in. 5-0 lead.

I strike out Adam Jones with a 1-2 fastball that was high and inside. I strike Saucedo out with a high 1-2 fastball to end the inning. That is a new career high, 11 strikeouts!

I'm definitely tiring and I struggle a bit through the 7th but never let a runner past 2nd.

Konerko knocks in Dustin again in the 7th. 6-0 lead.

I get 2 strikes on Raburn to start the 8th, but can't finish him off. He hits a 2-2 slider into left for a single. I strike Adam Jones with an outside 1-2 fastball for the 1st out of the inning. Markakis draws his 2nd walk of the game. My arm is dead as I've thrown 133 pitches. Gary pulls me despite the shutout being a possibility.

We win the game 10-0 as I get my 7th win of the year.

7.1 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 12 K. Tonight, I had my very best fastball working and felt nearly unhittable as I mixed in all of my other pitches.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 1, 2017 -

We are now 50-33 and 1 game ahead of the Yankees. The Rays are only 3.5 back and Toronto is 4 back.

Our offense is 4th in batting average. Dustin is leading the team with a .343 average but no one else is hitting above .300. We are 6th in runs scored (Cleveland is 1st.) We are 9th in homers. Fielder leads the team with 25. We are 4th in SB's. Jacoby leads MLB with 40. We are 1st with the fewest strikeouts.

Our team ERA is 1st at 3.32. We are tied for 1st in complete games and shutouts. We are 4th in homers allowed. We are 4th in walks allowed. We are 6th in strikeouts (I now lead the team with 82.)


After 3 months, I like my chances at making the All-Star team:

7-2, 2.97 ERA, 17 GS, 13 QS, 106 IP, 85 H, 40 R, 35 ER, 9 HR, 35 BB, 82 K, 1.13 WHIP, .218 vs RH, .224 vs LH.

I'm 8th in ERA among AL starters, 8th in HR's allowed, 7th in strikeouts, 6th in IP, 5th in WHIP.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 4, 2017 -

Tonight, I get the start in Baltimore. I'm looking forward to a repeat performance of my last start.

I strike out Adam Jones with a 2-2 low fastball to start the game. I strike out Markakis with a 2-2 high inside fastball. After giving up a walk to Lacey, I strike out Saucedo looking at a 2-2 fastball across the inside corner.

I strike out Gotay with a 2-2 fastball for the 1st out of the 3rd. Adam Jones hits a first pitch, curve, to left field for a 2 run homer.

They are hitting me much better today. Luigi leads off the 4th with a single to center field. I strike out Conor Jackson with a 3-2 fastball for the 1st out of the 4th.

Dustin knocks in Gomez in the 5th. Down 2-1 now.

I strike out Rosen with a 2-2 slider to start the 5th. I strike out Adam Jones with a 2-2 fastball.

Estalella with a solo homer in the 6th. Tied at 2.

I give up 2 singles to start the 6th and Gary pulls me. :(

Wes Littleton comes into the game. He is 1-5 with a 3.43 ERA. Come on Wes!

Sigh. Wes allows both inherited runs plus 1 more to score as he gives up a 3 run homer to Markakis. We lose the game 5-2 and I drop to 7-3.

5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 7 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 9, 2017 -

I'm starting the final game before the All-Star break tonight. It's against the Yankees in the New Yankee Stadium. We've beat them the first 2 games of this series. We are 54-36. They are 51-38. Konerko is starting in left tonight!?!

I strike out Jose Reyes with an outside 0-2 fastball to start the game. It takes 9 pitches, but I strike out Chase Headley with a 3-2 slider. 22 MPH wind blowing out to right center today, so I plan on working hard for a lot of strikeouts. Mark is hitting .349 with 21 HR's. I walk him on 4 pitches. I strike out Timmy Surhoff with a 1-2 fastball to end the inning.

Garza knocks in Konerko and Fowler. 2-0 lead.

I strike out Reyes with a 0-2 change to start the 3rd. Chase gets on thanks to an error by Fielder. I strike out Mark with a 3-2 fastball to end the inning.

I strike out Rico Estrada with a 2-2 change for the 2nd out of the 4th. I strike out Brandon Phillips with an outside 1-2 slider to end the inning.

Roberts, Fielder, and Konerko with RBI's in the 5th. 5-0 lead.

Reyes with a leadoff single to left in the 6th. I strike out Chase with a 3-2 slider for the 1st out of the 6th. I strike out Mark with a 1-2 splitter for the 2nd out. Surhoff with a single that gets Reyes to 3rd. Estrada with a very hard grounder at Fielder who handles it for the 3rd out.

Phillips leads off the 7th with a single past Dustin. Katteras pops up a 1-2 slider. Melky Cabrera with a single to right. Ramon Santiago hits a 3-2 slider to deep center but Jacoby catches up to it. I strike out Reyes with a 1-2 fastball to end the inning.

Mark with a 1 out single past Fowler. I strike out Timmy Surhoff looking at a 2-2 fastball on the outside corner. Estrada hits a double down the left field line and I'm surprised the runner at 1st didn't score as Konerko lumbered to the ball. NO! I get oulled after that. Buchholz comes in and prevents either of the runners from scoring :)

We win the game 5-1.

7.2 IP, 7 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 11 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 11, 2017 -

I've been selected to my 2nd All-Star Game! Joba Chamberlain of the Yankees has been named the starter. He is 11-2 with a 2.28 ERA.

My teammates who made it are:

Jon Lester, RP Justin Masterson, CP Francisco Rodriguez, 1B Prince Fielder (hitting .284 with 27 HR's and 68 RBI), and 2B Dustin Pedroia (hitting .339 with 12 HR's and 61 RBI's.) Jacoby is only hitting .250, thus he didn't make the team.

Tonight's game is at Nationals Park. I hope I get into the game.


I come in to pitch the bottom of the 3rd. We are up 3-0. First up is Johan Santana. He grounds a 1-1 slider to Mark for the 1st out. Erubiel Infante of the Nationals is up next. He hits a 0-2 fastball to right field for the 2nd out. Ian Kinsler hits it hard towards 1st, Mark with a diving stop. I run over and cover for the throw from his knees.

That is it for me. I wish I had gotten a strikeout, but at least it was a nice quick hitless inning. Only 7 pitches thrown. We win it 4-2 as Francisco gets the save. Now, to get the World Series and make use of that home field advantage.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 19, 2017 -

Tonight, I'm starting against the Royals at home. I'll need to watch out for Jason Kubel, their DH.

My first pitch isn't where I wanted it and it is ripped down the right field line for a double by Collazo. I get the next batter to pop up a 3-2 fastball to shallow center. Billy Butler pops up a 3-2 fastball to shallow left. Navarro lets a 1-2 curve get by him. The runner advances to 3rd, but I strike out Milo Pratt with a 2-2 fastball on the outside corner to end the inning.

In the 2nd, after I give up 2 singles, Fielder spears a line drive for the 1st out. I follow that by striking out Mark Teahan with a 0-2 outside fastball. I strike out Borchard with a 2-2 splitter to end the inning.

It took 10 pitches, but I finally strike out Ottavino with a 2-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 3rd. Butler goes down much easier, as he looks at a 0-2 fastball that is belt high and on the inside corner.

The first 2 batters go down easily, but I walk Kubel on 4 pitches. Izturis grounds out to end the inning. Still scoreless after 4.

In the 5th, I strike out Borchard with 3 straight fastballs for the 2nd out.

In the 6th, I strike out Butler with a high 99 MPH Fastball for the 2nd out of the inning. 1-2-3 6th. Come on guys, get some runs.

Still scoreless as I take the mound in the 7th. I strike out Enrique Manley with an inside 3-2 fastball. Dustin with a great diving stab for the 2nd out of the inning. 1-2-3 7th.

I strike out Teahan with an 0-2 slider across the inside corner to start the 8th. Still scoreless. 1-2-3 8th as I get Collazo to pop up the 1st pitch, a fastball. My arm is tiring.

Finally, we score 3 in the bottom of the 8th on a 3 run homer by Konerko.

I get the first batter to pop up a 1-1 fastball to 3rd. Butler makes it a 10 pitch at bat before he hits a 3-2 change to left center for a single. I need Milo Pratt to hit into a DP to end the inning..

I've thrown over 125 pitches and my control is fading badly. I leave a 1-1 fastball over the middle of the plate and it is hard to left for a double. Gary comes to the mound and pulls me for Francisco Rodriguez.

He allows 1 of the runs to score, but we get the 3-1 win. I get my 9th win and he gets his 29th save. :)

8.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 9 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 24, 2017 -

We are 61-39 and leading the Yankees by 3 games as I prepare for the start in Seattle tonight.

I start off by walking Jose Lopez to start the bottom of the 1st. I strike out Adam Lind with a 0-2 splitter. That makes me feel a lot calmer. Giovanni Vizquel hits a 1-1 change hard to 3rd for the 5-4-3 DP.

Cool! The Mariners have Ken Griffey, III starting for them in LF! He's hitting .280 with 20 homers this year. He chops the 1st pitch to short and beats out the throw. Hmm, guess I should focus on the batter. Anderson Speigner smacks a 1-1 slider into right center for a double. Adrian Beltre steps to the plate with 0 outs and men on 2nd and 3rd. A much needed strike out on an inside 2-2 fastball. Chris Getz is up next. I get him to strike out with a low 0-2 fastball! Huston Enfield is up next. I strike him out with a 1-2 outside fastball!

Ellsbury knocks in Garza for our 1st run in the top of the 3rd.

I strike out Lind with a 1-2 slider to end the 3rd. 1-2-3 inning.

I strike out Griffey with a 1-2 93 MPH splitter for the 2nd out of the 4th.

After giving up a lead off single in the 5th, I strike out Getz with a 0-2 fastball up and away.

I let out a huge sigh of relief as Ellsbury catches a long blast by Griffey at the center field wall to end the 6th.

DeJesus with a solo homer in the 7th to give us a 2-0 lead.

1-2-3 7th. I've only thrown 75 pitches and feel good.

I strike out Cortez with a 2-2 splitter for the 2nd out of the 8th. 1-2-3 8th.

3-0 lead in the 9th after a Fielder solo shot.

I strike out Lind for the 3rd time, this time with a low outside 0-2 fastball. Vizquel taps it back to me, but I throw it over Fielder's head for an error. The runner advances to 2nd. Griffey grounds out to Dustin on 1-1 fastball. The runner advances to 3rd. The final batter taps a 0-2 change back to me and this time the throw is good.

I get my first shut out of the year! 9 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

July 30, 2017 -

Tonight, I'm starting in Oakland. First up is Freddy Church. He flares a 1-0 fastball into left field for a single. I strike out Gwyn with an 0-2 slider. Garrett Atkins steps to the plate. He is hitting .332 with 23 homers. Church steals 2nd. Atkins grounds a 1-2 slider hard to 3rd, but Garza handles it easily, looks the runner back, and makes the throw. Jack Cust is up next. He is hitting .260 with 22 homers. He grounds a 1-0 splitter to Garza for the 3rd out.

Garza knocks in Hayden for a run in the top of the 2nd.

I strike out Gomez in the 2nd with a 1-2 high heater. I strike out Chung with a 2-2 inside fastball for the 2nd out of the 2nd. 1-2-3 2nd.

In the top of the 5, my guys put up 5 runs. 6-0 lead now.

I strike out Titus Crudale with a 0-2 slider on the outside corner to end the 5th.

My scoreless streak ends in the 6th as I give up a 2 out single to put men on 1st and 2nd and then Garrett hits it into right center for a RBI single. I get Cust to pop up a 3-2 fastball to Dustin to end the inning.

I strike out Crudale with a 3-2 fastball for the 2nd out in the 7th.

My control fails as I walk John Jaso to lead off the 8th. Dustin with a great diving stab to get the 4-6-3 DP. I get the last batter to fly out to right.

Gary pulls me after 8.

We win the game 7-1 as Buchholz pitches a perfect 9th.

8 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 R, 2 BB, 5 K.

I'm now 11-3.

[Icy]

Nice reading, after playing the "be a pro" modes in NHL10, NBA2k10 and FIFA10, i recently got back to play RTTS again as by now it keeps being the best sports RPG even not being perfect.

[Eaglesfan27]

With the bugs in 2010, it has motivated me to at the very least finish out this season before I start playing 2010 regularly. So...


August 5, 2017 -

I'm actually feeling the nerves tonight. We are going against the Yankees at home and we are both 66-44 having split the previous 2 games of this series. They have their ace Joba Chamberlain going against me, so I need to be on tonight.


A good start to the night as Reyes flies out to center on a 0-1 slider. Chase Utley flies out on a 1-1 slider to left center. I get Mark Teixeira to strike out on a 2-2 running inside fastball to end the inning.

I get Surhoff to strike out on a 3-2 fastball to start the 2nd. The fans are cheering me loudly tonight. 1-2-3 2nd.

All of my pitches are working tonight. 1-2-3 3rd as I strike out Willie Taveras with a 2-2 splitter to end the 3rd.

DeJesus with a 2 run double to give us the 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 3rd.

An error allows Reyes to get to 2nd to start the 4th. I can't believe how badly Garza threw that one. Yes, Navarro guns down Reyes on a steal attempt at 3rd with a 0-1 count. I strike Utley out with a 0-2 splitter. Teixeira gives me a scare but DeJesus catches it at the wall.

I strike out Headley with a 1-2 change for the 2nd out of the 5th. 1-2-3 5th.

Pedroia with a solo shot in the bottom of the 5th. We lead 3-0 now.

I strike out Katteras with a 1-2 slider for the 2nd out of the 6th. I strike out Taveras looking with a 2-2 fastball. Guys are all avoiding me now..


Reyes bunts for a single to break up the no-hitter. Asshole. I strike out Utley with a 1-2 slider but Reyes steals 2nd on the play. I unintentionally intentionally walk Teixeira. I strike out Surhoff looking with a 1-2 change. Headley grounds out to short on a 1-1 fastball to end the inning.

After hitting the leadoff batter (by accident), I strike out Brandon Phillips with a 0-2 change. Kattaras with a strong linedrive to left center.. it drops. Rico Estrada tries to go to 3rd, Jacoby guns him down by 2 steps. A ground out to Pedroia ends the inning. My arm is feeling good to go for the complete game shutout.

Navarro with a 3 run homer to give me some breathing room.

Reyes starts off the 9th and I really want to drill him, but I don't want to jeopardize the shutout. I'll get him another time..

He hits a 1-0 slider right at Garza who catches it. I strike out Utley with a 2-2 outside fastball. Teixeira hits the first pitch to deep right.. it's at the track but it is catchable!

I get the complete game shutout! 6-0 win.

9 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 11 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 12, 2017 -

We are on a 4 game losing streak and we've lost our division lead. I need to have a huge game today at Baltimore.

Bad control as I walk the leadoff hitter, Greg Golson, on 5 pitches. Nick Markakis hits into a perfect ground ball for a double play, but a tough slide breaks up the potential 3-6-1 DP. Lacey with an infield dribbler for a single. I strike out Saucedo on a 1-2 fastball, high and inside to get the 2nd out of the inning. I strike out Quevedo with a 2-2 high inside fastball to end the inning.

Prince Fielder with a solo homer in the of the 2nd to give us the 1-0 lead.

1-2-3 2nd. 5 pitch inning.

Gotay with a leadoff walk in the 3rd against me. Golson with a single to right center. Men on 1st and 3rd with no outs. Markakis with a sac fly to deep right. Lacey with a 6-4-3 DP to end the inning.

I strike out Saucedo with a 2-2 fastball to start the 4th.

Roberts drives in 2 and Pedroia drives in another run to give us a 4-1 lead in the 5th.

I strike out Flores with a 2-2 change to start the 5th. I strike out Gotay with a 2-2 change for the 2nd out. Golson bunts for a hit in which Navarro throws it very high. Golson gets all the way to 3rd. Markakis lines out to left to end the inning.

Konerko with a solo homer. We are up 5-1 now.

1-2-3 6th.

1-2-3 7th.

Gotay continues to give me trouble with a first pitch flare to shallow left for a single. Golson hits a 2-2 slider right back at me. I turn and fire to 2nd. 1-6-3 DP! Markakis flies out to shallow center to end the 8th.

I've now got a 6-1 lead as I prepare to go for the complete game.

Lacey hits the first pitch, a fastball, hard at Roberts at short, but he handles it. 1 away. Saucedo hits it to the warning track in right center, but Jacoby puts it away. Quevedo hits a 2-1 change hard at Roberts who dives and catches it.

Another complete game! 6-1 victory. That is win #13 on the year for me.

9 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

After that win, we are 1 game behind the Yankees in the AL East with a 68-48 record.


August 18, 2017 -

Tonight's start is at home against the Angels who are 70-51. We are 70-50. I need to watch out for Mike Napoli's power.

After 8 pitches, I strike out leadoff hitter Wilson Cotts, with a 2-2 change. Their 2nd hitter, Manzella, hits a line drive to right center for a single. Miguel Cabrera is hitting .331 with 38 HR's. I need to be careful here..

He hits a 1-0 low change right at Pedroia for a 4-6-3 DP to end the inning.


I walk Napoli with 4 straight balls to start the 2nd. I strike out Armas with a 2-2 splitter to end the 2nd after getting the other 2 batters to fly out.

I strike out Cavazos with a 0-2 curve for the 1st out of the 3rd. That was my 1,000 career strikeout! I strike out Bartlett with a 0-2 change.

I strike out Manzella with a 3-2 splitter to start the 4th. Cabrera hits it to the wall in right field, but it's a long out. I strike out Napoli with a 1-2 outside slider.

Segui with an RBI single in the 5th to give us a 1-0 lead.

Cavazos hits a 1-2 slider hard down the left field line and it bounces off the Green Monster for a double. Bartlett with a ground ball to 1st to advance the runner. 1 out. Wilson Cotts hits a 1-1 fastball to deep left for the sac fly. I strike out Mazella with a 1-2 splitter to end the inning.

Cabrera rips a very hard ground ball that gets into left field for a single to start the 7th. Napoli hits a 2-1 fastball right at Fielder.. he catches it and tags out Cabrera who was just a few steps off the bag! Mitcheltree with a single into center. Michael Cuddyer taps a 0-2 change back to me for the final out of the inning.

Konerko with a solo homer in the bottom of the 7th! We lead 2-1.

Armas starts off the 8th with a double down the left field line on a first pitch swing. I'm yanked from the game. Crud. Come on guys. He brings in Ramon Ramirez who is having a very good year.

Ramon gets us out of the inning! Taylor Buchholz pitches a perfect 9th for his 7th save. We win the game 3-1!

I get win #14.

7 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K. My ERA drops to 2.29.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 23, 2017 -

We are a half game ahead of the Yankees and 4 games ahead of the Rays for the Wild Card. Tonight, I'm starting at home vs the Orioles again. The Orioles are 51-75.

I strike out Saucedo with a 2-2 fastball to end the 1st.

A bit of the trouble in the 2nd as Gustavo Flores flares a 2 out single to right and then I hit the next batter. Fortunately, I get the next batter to fly out to right on a 2-2 fastball.

I don't feel right today. I'm allowing hits. My control is off. I just walked the leadoff hitter, Golson, to start the 3rd. My 1-2 slider hangs and Sandy Underwood hits it to left center to put men on 1st and 3rd with 0 outs. Lacey at the plate.. Lacey hits a 2-0 change hard to 3rd where it turns into a 5-4-3 DP surrendering the run. Saucedo flies out to the warning track to end the inning.

I strike out Conor Jackson looking at a 2-2 splitter for the 2nd out of the 4th. Flores gets another hit off me, a line drive to left field for a single. Rosen with a liner to center for a single, but Flores goes for 3rd and Jacoby guns him down. Picking me up there.

Pedroia with a solo homer to tie it at 1.

My first pitch of the 5th is lined to right center for a single. I need to bear down now. Golson flies out to center on a 0-2 change. Underwood hits a 2-0 splitter hard at Pedroia for a 4-6-3 DP.

Lacey starts off the 6th with a single that barely got by Fielder. Saucedo with a single down the left field line and we have men on 1st and 3rd with 0 outs. Sigh. 1st pitch Saucedo steals 2nd, a wild throw allows Lacey to score from 3rd. I lose my control and throw a walk on 5 pitches. Skipper is pulling me. Darn it.

Our team picks it up in the 8th with a 2 run homer by DeJesus and the bullpen holds. We win the game 3-2. Enrique Gonzalez gets the win for us.

5 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Aug 29, 2017 -

We are a game ahead of the Yankees as I prepare to start at Texas.

Pedroia with a RBI double gives us a 1-0 lead before I even take the mound.


After giving up a leadoff single, I strike out Trammell with a 2-2 change. Siegel hits into a 5-4-3 DP to end the inning.

We add 3 more runs in the 2nd as Fielder and Hayden knock in runs. 4-0 lead.

I strike out Mudd with a 3-2 fastball to start the bottom of the 2nd. I strike out Saltamachia looking at a 0-2 slider on the outside corner. I strike out Taylor Teagarden with a 2-2 100 MPH fastball to end the inning and strike out the side.

I strike out Quiroz with a 0-2 splitter for the 2nd out of the 3rd. I strike out Royster with a 2-2 fastball to get out of the 3rd after allowing a double to Corey Patterson.

We now have a 6-0 lead as I take the mound in the 4th.

I strike out Trammell looking at a 1-2 backdoor slider to start the 4th.

A leadoff walk and a single have gotten me into a bit of trouble to start the 5th. A 1-2 fastball pops up Girard to short. 1 out. I strike out Quiroz with a 3-2 splitter. I strike out Corey Patterson with a 2-2 splitter to end the inning. 9 strikeouts this game already.

I strike out Siegel with a 2-2 fastball to end the 6th.

I give up a single to Mudd to start the 7th. WTF!?! I get pulled!?! I've got plenty left and I'm pitching a gem.

Justin Masterson comes in to finish the inning.


We win the game 8-2 and I get my 15th win.

6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, and 10 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 3, 2017 -

I accidently quick simmed this game. I got a no-decision and we lost in the 11th inning, 5-3 to the Blue Jays. I pitched 6.2 inning giving up 2 ER. I walked 2 and struck out 9.


Sep 8, 2017 -

We have won our last 4 and I feel good about my chances of keeping it going against the Twins, especially since they are trotting out a Rookie pitcher who was lit up in his 1st start of the year last week. We are 2 games ahead of the Yankees.

As I take the mound, we have a 2-0 lead on a 2 run homer by Fielder.

Tory Miller with a chopper up the middle for a single to start the game. I need to be careful with Justin Morneau now. He is hitting .337 with 32 HR's. Navarro guns down Miller on a steal attempt. Morneau hits a 0-2 splitter into right field for a single. A 1-2 fastball gets away from me and hits Gary. Wiki Macias steps up to the plate. He is hitting .239 with 30 HR's. I strike him out with a 2-2 fastball. Monty Brantley is up next. He's hitting .250 with 14 HR's. He grounds out to short to end the inning.

I strike out PRessley with a 1-2 fastball for the 2nd out of the 2nd.

We put up 5 runs in the top of the 3rd. 7-0 lead.

Morneau hits a 2 out 0-2 fastball into right center for a single. I strike out Macias with a high 1-2 fastball.

We now lead 8-0.

9-0 lead as I take the mound in the 5th.

I strike out Pedro Silva with a 1-2 splitter for the 2nd out in the 5th. I strike out Alexi Casilla with a 0-2 100 MPH outside fastball to end the inning.

Miller with a single to left center to start the 6th. I get Morneau to keep it on the ground, but it is hard and gets past Roberts at short. Sigh. I get yanked as skipper wants to keep me rested for the playoffs.

Wes Littleton gets us out of the inning with no damage.

We win the game 12-1. I get my 16th win.

5 IP, 6H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 13, 2017 -

We are on a 9 game winning streak. Time for me to get lucky #10 here in Toronto. We are now 90-55 and 2.5 games ahead of the Yankees for the division.

Start off with Teddy Nash, a .330 hitter with speed and a bit of pop. I get robbed on 2 calls and walk the leadoff hitter. Nigel Tovar, a .300 hitter with 18 HR's is up next. He drills it to Pedroia for a 4-6-3 DP. I strike out Goodrich with a 3-2 fastball to end the inning.

Emilio Alcantara, a .230 hitter with 22 HR's, starts off the 2nd by hitting a 1-2 slider into right center for a single. Carlos Lee lines out to right field.

We get 2 runs in the top of the 3rd on a 2 run homer by Fielder.

Nunez hits a 1-1 fastball off the fists, but it drops in shallow right for a single. Vizcaino hits a 2-2 slider hard right at Fielder, but he can't handle it. Men on 1st and 2nd with 0 outs. Teddy Nash is back at the plate. Nash flies out to left on the 1st pitch. Nigel Tovar hits a 2-2 slider into right center for a RBI single. Men on 1st and 3rd. Navarro guns out Tovar trying to steal 2nd. I strike out Goodrich with a 3-2 low fastball to end the inning.

Oh crud. Emilio Alcantara hits a VERY high pop into right field, but Hayden just drops it! That error puts him on 3rd. Carlos Lee grounds a 0-2 fastball deep into the hole at 3rd and that drives the runner in. Tied at 2. I strike out Vernon Wells with a 2-2 fastball to end the inning.

I'm mad now. I start off the 5th by setting up Nunez with 2 hard inside fastballs that he fouls off and then an outside sliders strikes him out. Nunez hits a 1-1 fastball into deep left center for a double. Teddy Nash hits my first pitch, an inside fastball down the left field line for a RBI double. I strike out Tovar with a 1-2 splitter. Down 3-2 after 5.

Roberts picks me up with a 2 run homer!

1-2-3 6th. 1-2-3 7th.

Skipper still pulls me after 7.

We win the game 4-3 as Hatteburgh allows 2 hits but no runs in the 8th. Rodriguez pitches a perfect 9th for his 40th save of the year.

I get win #17! 7 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K.

[Sun Tzu]

Well...did you make the playoffs?

[Eaglesfan27]

Well...did you make the playoffs?

I've been hooked on my 2010 Phillies Franchise, but I'm still planning on getting back to this (particularly since the latest patch issues will probably have me hold off on playing that game for a bit.) However, while playing with my 2010 franchise, I've learned a very important strategy with pitching that has made my pitching much more effective. So, I'm definitely looking forward to picking up this career.

[Eaglesfan27]

Sep 18, 2017 -

We have a nice lead over the Yankees, but tonight I have a chance to make it even bigger and almost finish it off. I have to watch out for Swisher and Mark Texeira.

I strike out Mark with a 3-2 fastball to end the 1st. 1-2-3 1st.

I strike out Swisher with 1-2 outside fastball to start the 2nd.

A 1 out walk costs me as Dorsey Katteras knocks in the run with a 2 out single to right center. The inning continues to give me trouble as Melky Cabrera hits it to right center for a single and then a curve ball gets away from me and hits the batter. Jose Reyes (top of the order) is back up with bases loaded and 2 outs..

I strike out Reyes with a 2-2 splitter at the knees.

In the 3rd with Mark on 1st, I strike out Swisher with a 3-2 fastball.

After I get screwed on 2 ball calls, Brandon Phillips hits a 2-0 slider deep over the Green Monster. We are down 2-0.

I strike out Keith Underwood looking at a 0-2 fastball at the knees on the outside corner to end the 4th.

I strike out Reyes with a 1-2 change to start the 5th.

Swisher starts out the 6th by hitting a 0-2 slider off the end of his bat down the right field line for a double. I walk the next batter and get pulled. No chance at the win tonight.

We lose 3-0 as Joba Chamblerain pitches a 3 hit complete game shutout.

5 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 6 K.